Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI lifeboat launched after whelk-seekers get into difficulties; Ross-shire rescue mission comes during coronavirus lockdown
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A COUPLE who got into difficulties while searching for whelks triggered a call-out a Ross-shire lifeboat crew last night.
The alarm was raised at around 8.40pm after a four-metre rigid inflatable boat was reported as overdue, after failing to return to Strollamus on Skye.
The search involved Kyle and Portree lifeboats, a UK Coastguard helicopter and several Coastguard teams.
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen was launched at 8:45pm after a member of the public reported the vessel, said to have two people and a dog on board, failed to return to Strollamus after spending the day at sea.
Kyle lifeboat began searching the coastline and small islands from Kyleakin heading north while Portree lifeboat began searching from Portree heading south.
At 10pm with the light fading fast and still no sign of the missing vessel, the UK coastguard helicopter from Stornoway was called out and started heading towards the scene.
A few minutes later one of the crew onboard Kyle lifeboat spotted a small light on the normally uninhabited island of Scalpay, just off the Skye coast.
The lifeboat went to investigate and located the two missing people, who had gone ashore after suffering engine problems earlier in the day.
The crew checked that they were uninjured before taking them onboard the lifeboat and transporting them back to Broadford on Skye, where local Coastguard teams were waiting.
The lifeboat then returned to Kyle where it was refuelled and made ready for service by 11:40pm.
Speaking of the incident, a Kyle RNLI spokesperson said: "The couple had gone out searching for whelks when they had issues with their engine, so went ashore on Scalpay. The initial report had said they had a dog with them, however we discovered they had decided to leave it at home on this occasion."
He said: "This search shows that during these unprecedented times of lockdown with bans on non-essential travel, the RNLI is still on call 24 hours a day."
It was the eleventh call-out of the year for Kyle lifeboat
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