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Lockdown safety message after Invergordon RNLI lifeboat crew launched to help stranded duo and dog


By Hector MacKenzie

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The Invergordon crew launched yesterday. Picture: Mike MacDonald RNLI.
The Invergordon crew launched yesterday. Picture: Mike MacDonald RNLI.

A CALL to help two people and a dog stranded on a sand and shingle spit prompted the launch of an Easter Ross lifeboat crew yesterday.

The UK Coastguard operations room in Aberdeen requested the launch of Invergordon’s all-weather lifeboat Douglas Aikman Smith at 4.17pm after receiving a report of two people and a dog stranded but safe and well on the Old Bar off Nairn beach.

The six-strong volunteer crew left with clear visibility and calm sea state up the Cromarty Firth into the Moray Firth to make the crossing to Nairn.

With local Coastguard teams and the independent inshore lifeboat from Findhorn making way to the scene, the stranded party were escorted safely back to Nairn Harbour.

The Invergordon crew was stood down around 5.20pm and headed back to the town'sWest Harbour.

It was refuelled and ready for service by 6.10pm.

Invergordon RNLI said the crew followed the guidance from the RNLI in response to Covid-19.

The crew reiterated a statement made earlier this week by Jacob Davies, RNLI lifesaving manager for Scotland: “Just because the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed does not mean our coasts are safe, the dangers that have always been there remain.

"We ask those who are local to beaches to continue to be aware of the inherent dangers and to avoid taking risks. Our strong advice to the Scottish public, who are not local to a beach, is to exercise locally and not to travel to the coast. Scotland’s air temperature may be warming up but the sea temperature remains consistently chilly all year, jumping or falling into cold water or spending longer periods than normal submerged in the water can lead to, potentially fatal, cold water shock."

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