Oban & Islay Lifeboats in major rescue in Corryvreckan

Two RNLI lifeboats – from Oban and from Islay – and an SAR (Search & Rescue) helicopter launched to the assistance of a Coaster in the Sound of Jura last night (15th December).

The Oban lifeboat was tasked at 21.37 hours to launch to assist an 80 metre coaster in difficulties in the Sound of Jura with six persons on board.   The Islay lifeboat and Rescue Helicopter 177 were also requested to attend.

The coaster, Fingal, laden with timber, had left Corpach bound for Troon and ran aground at the North East tip of the island of Jura.

When Oban lifeboat arrived on scene the Fingal had refloated and was drifting westwards through the Gulf of Corryvreckan on the new flood tide.

She had two liferafts and her daughter boat in the water alongside her – with the awesome Corryvreckan whirlpool too close for comfort, this is not where you want to be and not what you want to see.

The coaster was making water but only into her ballast tanks and the decision was taken to escort her to Oban.   The helicopter and Islay lifeboat were stood down.

Two crewmen from Oban Lifeboat were left aboard the casualty with the lifeboat’s two pumps and to assist with navigation.

The coaster and lifeboat left the scene at 23.45 hours and arrived in Oban at 03.00 this morning (16th December) .

The lifeboat, Mora Edith MacDoinald, was refuelled and ready for service again at 03.30.

According to Willie Melville, author of the book on the history of the Oban Lifeboat – and acting as Press Officer while Pat McLean is on holiday, ‘the Corry’ wasn’t actually too bad at the time.

The crew had not actually got into the life rafts and the ‘daughter’ boat when the Oban lifeboat arrived on scene and were recovered by the Fingal before she was escorted to Oban.

And, for Oban residents and visiting  Christmas shoppers – she’s still in Oban Bay, off Kerrera. See her here.

Talking about Christmas shopping, Willie Melville’s history of the Oban Lifeboat would be a locally appropriate and interesting idea for a present.  All the proceeds are going to the RNLI.

The book is available:

• on Amazon
• directly from Willie Melville at Treshnish, Glenmore Road, Oban, PA34 4PG (TEL; 01631-562778) (e-mail : treshnish3@hotmail.co.uk) Price -£9.99 plus P & P £1.24.
• at the Lifeboat Station on Oban’s South Pier.