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RNLI's Invergordon crew called out to small boat lost in mist in Moray Firth


By Philip Murray

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The lifeboat approaches the RIB vessel. Picture: RNLI.
The lifeboat approaches the RIB vessel. Picture: RNLI.

THE RNLI's Invergordon lifeboat crew have aided a small boat which became lost in fog.

The all-weather lifeboat was called out at 11am on Thursday to reports of a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) requiring assistance in a blanket of mist in the Moray Firth.

"The RNLI Invergordon all-weather Trent class lifeboat ‘Douglas Aikman Smith’ left the berth and made best speed up the Cromarty Firth and out through the Sutors and made its way to the Cromarty Bank Buoy, a starboard marker buoy marking the passage to the Cromarty Firth," said an RNLI spokesman late last night.

"The casualty vessel, with one person on board, had reported he required assistance after becoming disorientated in the mist that had quickly descended in the area.

With a local tug standing by until the lifeboat arrived on scene shortly after 11.25am, one crew member was placed on board the RIB to assist in the safe transit back to Cromarty harbour.

"With no medical issues and the casualty all well, the lifeboat led the way back into the clearer waters of the Cromarty Firth as the stacked oil rigs began to appear in the lifting mist.

Once outside the harbour entrance, the volunteer crew member was taken back to the All-weather lifeboat and the casualty made its own way into Cromarty harbour to awaiting local coastguard teams and once all confirmed well, Aberdeen Coastguard released Invergordon from service to make its way to Invergordon’s West Harbour.

"The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready service by 12.30pm."


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