The Oban lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, was paged at 13.04 yesterday (3rd October 2011) for immediate launch.
She was needed by the yacht Postscript which had broken down off Maiden Island with two people onboard.
The lifeboat launched at 13.15 and was on scene at 13.20. A tow was quickly established but entering the bay was delayed for two Cal-Mac ferries to transit the entrance
The yacht was secured on a mooring at Oban Marina on the Isle of Kerrera at 13.55 and the lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 1415.
The photograph above, once the tow had been established, was taken by Ronnie McKillop, the Oban lifeboat coxswain.
Not only is that a sailing yacht with plenty of available wind judging by the sea state but in addition it appears to have in-mast furling, so deployment of either or both sails would be a matter of seconds.
I know the lifeboat doesn’t mind going out, but perhaps this yacht could have made more effort to get into Oban under its own power?
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Webcraft wonders about a yachts ability to sail, and I have wondered this same thing. I noted a yacht being towed into Campbeltown one day, presumably with an engine fault, towed from some distance judging by the time for round trip by lifeboat.
Isn’t the primary means of motivation on a yacht by sailing? I consider it so myself on my yacht, There might be more to this story than is said openly?
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Kind of agree, could probably have reached Kerrera under sail but tying up may have been interesting without an engine !
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We sailed from Tiree to Crinan without an engine, calling at Tobermory and Oban, a number of years ago. No problem. Crew of two.
We didn’t have a proper VHS and no mobiles in those days so the only means of summoning help was a flare.
Although we did have a means of generating electricity.
Going through the canal without an engine was a problem….but then my then wife cadged a tow.
From Ardrishaig to Clynder also without an engine…took rather a long time.
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It’s clear that the lifeboat should have been called out. The photo suggest that the boat is well founded and equiped. However, the boat’s crew were unable to manage the situation. The inference is that the crew lacked the necessary basic skills to be in charge. Hopefully this incident will persuade them to either give up yachting or alternatively get some qualifications in basic dingy/yacht handling before they endanger themselves or the RLNI crews again.
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Hamish,
To be fair, it is quite possible that the yacht merely called the CG to advise them of the situation and the CG called out the lifeboat although the yacht had not specifically requested it.
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Webcraft – I cannot disagree with you. I do not know if a Pan Pan or Mayday was sent. The correct use of a “pan-pan” call from a vessel may include a general alert, provided the skipper or master remains confident that they can handle the situation and that there is no current danger to the life of any person or to the safety of the vessel itself.
Engine failure or out of fuel
Provided the vessel can either be anchored or under sail and safe from any immediate danger of collision or stranding then the pan pan can be cancelled. The crew could also planned to refuel from an onboard supply, hoist sail or use some other alternative propulsion. Alternatively, as part of the “pan-pan” call the skipper may request a tow from a suitable vessel, if possible, but without immediate urgency.
A call that originates as a “pan-pan” signal might be followed by a Mayday distress call if the situation deteriorates to the point of “grave and imminent danger”, thus warranting immediate action (intervention, assistance, response) on the part of listeners in accordance with standard operating practices for distress signalling.
The situation at some point was possibly assessed that the vessel had been stood into imminent danger which warranted immediate action. ie a rescue attempt by CG or a shout to the RNLI. The inference is that either the crew lacked the necessary basic skills by allowing their vessel to stand into imminent danger or not had the means at their command to save it without external intervention. Thankfully the boat’s crew is safe and hopefully, they will consider additional training to add to their experiences before venturing back to sea. The RNLI must not be treated as an “AA” of the seas. Lifeboats-men’s lives are too precious to squander.
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