Adrift boat sparks launch of North Kessock's RNLI lifeboat
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A boat found drifting off the shores of North Kessock sparked the launch of the village's RNLI lifeboat on Monday morning.
The Kessock crew were alerted shortly before 9.30am after the Coastguard received reports of a mystery boat drifting next to the Kessock Community Hall.
The lifeboat launched to carry out a welfare check to see if anyone was aboard, but found the vessel empty/
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It is thought the boat's mooring had shifted due to the extreme winds of Storm Isha overnight.
An RNLI spokesperson said: "The lifeboat launched with a crew of four and made way to the vessel to carry out a welfare check on any persons on board. Due to the condition of the boat, it was difficult to gain access without damaging the lifeboat, however after consideration from the helm, the stricken vessel was accessed from the bow, where it was confirmed there was nobody aboard the vessel.
"The boat appears to be secure on a mooring that had moved during last nights storm. The lifeboat has since returned to station and has been made ready for service.
"This is the first shout of 2024 for our volunteer crew with 12 members of our volunteer crew involved in today’s incident. As always, if you see anyone in trouble near the water we would ask you to call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
