Kyle RNLI crew responds to first shout of 2022 as vessel runs aground on Skye side of Kylerhea narrows
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A VESSEL which ran aground after suffering an electrical fault prompted a shout out to a Ross-shire lifeboat crew – their first of 2022.
Kyle and Mallaig lifeboats were both called out to reports of the 10-metre vessel that got into difficulties while navigating north through the Kylerhea narrows yesterday morning.
When it suffered an electrical problem, it ran aground and then became stuck due to the turning of the tide.
Kyle lifeboat, Spirit of Fred. Olsen, launched at 7:15am after the vessel ran aground close to Kylerhea on the Skye side of the narrows.
Due to the turning and speed of the tide, both Kyle and Mallaig lifeboats were called out to assist. Kyle lifeboat arrived on scene first at 7:30am and put a crew member and water pump on board to assess the situation and check there was no water ingress.
Due to the rapid speed of the tide, it was quickly decided to establish a tow between Mallaig lifeboat and the casualty vessel and the vessel was refloated at 8:15am.
Once afloat, the casualty vessel managed to restart its engine and Mallaig proceeded to shadow it through the narrows until they came out into Loch Alsh. At that point, Mallaig returned back to station and Kyle took over shadowing the boat back to Kyleakin harbour where repairs could be made to the vessel.
Kyle lifeboat then returned to station and was refuelled and made ready for service by 10:15am.
It was the first call-out for Kyle RNLI and the first since the lifeboat came back from refit.
