RNLI's Kyle and Mallaig crews assist Glenelg ferry after beaching on slipway
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The Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig lifeboats were both sent to the slipway at Kylerhea after the call came in at 4.22pm.
The Kyle boat arrived at 4.40pm, 10 minutes after launching, and found the ferry – the Glenachulish – had beached as vehicles were being off-loaded, leaving one car stranded on its deck.
The lifeboat and two passing working vessels, the ‘Beinn Fhada’ and ‘Annie E’, attached a tow to the ferry and unsuccessfully tried to free her before the tide dropped too far.
The Mallaig lifeboat arrived at 5.15pm but, as the tide had dropped substantially, it was decided it was safer to leave the ferry aground on the slipway pier until the tide rose again.
Both lifeboats stayed on scene as a precaution until a rising tide allowed them to float the ferry free at 9.20pm.
A Kyle lifeboat spokesman praised the quick-thinking ferry crew and said they “did the right thing” by calling for RNLI assistance as a precaution.
“The Kylerhea narrows is a fast flowing stretch of water, which has fierce currents running through it at eight knots,” they said.
“Even the most experienced skipper can fall foul of these changing currents, and the crew on board the Glenachulish were well prepared, extremely professional and did the right thing in calling for assistance when they ran aground.”
