Four emergency call-outs keep RNLI's Kessock lifeboat very busy over weekend
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RNLI lifesavers on the Kessock lifeboat had an extremely busy weekend after they were called out to four separate incidents – including the rescue of four people after a boat capsized.
The Kessock crews responded to three incidents on Saturday, including one where they were still returning to their base from an earlier shout.
"It’s been a four-shout, plus training exercise, weekend for our volunteers," said an RNLI spokesman on their Facebook page. "As we enter our 30th birthday month our crew have been on the water more than off, even interrupting a summer social on top of the usual personal and family events."
The first call-out came at 2.32pm on Saturday when the crew were scrambled to assist a broken down vessel near Avoch. On arrival at the scene the crew were stood down as a local vessel had already provided assistance.
Related: Kessock Bridge in Inverness closed to traffic due to ongoing police incident
But, as they began to return to the station, they were alerted at 3.15pm to a capsized vessel which had left four people overboard not far from their base.
"We joined a multi-vessel operation and assisted in the safe recovery of all four persons and their vessel," said a spokesman.
Their busy Saturday was not over though, and at 11.42pm two duty crews assisted after the Kessock Bridge was closed to traffic due to a "police incident". The operation was "safely concluded" by 3am, said the RNLI.
Sunday saw the crews back on the water for a less dramatic visit to the Chanonry Sailing Club Funday.
But just over an hour after they returned to their station they were scrambled to an emergency at 4.15pm. This time, a mayday distress call had been made by a yacht with a broken rudder that had been left with no steering.
"Crew were under way within seven minutes of the page," continued the RNLI spokesman. "It was decided that a tow to the marina was the safest option, where she was berthed".
The crew were assisted in the operation by the likes of the Coastguard.
