A busy May for Arran’s RNLI
Arran RNLI’s lifeboat, Rachel Hedderwick, was launched twice last week in two separate call outs, one close to home and another on the other side of the Clyde.
On Monday morning the RNLI went to the assistance of a yacht after it lost power near Holy Isle and later in the week it attended to two paddle boarders who had become separated from their boards near Largs.
The yacht was being pushed towards the western shore of Holy Isle until a passing vessel took her under tow. The lifeboat was launched to escort them back to safe moorings in Lamlash Bay. On board Rachel Hedderwick was Mark Cook, one of three newly qualified crew members, on his first shout afloat. Mark was presented with his pager last month.
Arran RNLI representative, Andrew Randall, said: “Having your own pager is a massive moment in every crew member’s journey with the RNLI, and is only achieved after a lot of hard work and dedication during training.
“Like we have seen in training, this shout did not faze him, and Mark dealt with the situation exactly as trained. Well done Mark from all the crew.”
On Friday night the Arran RNLI lifeboat made good time in choppy seas to Castle Bay, just south of Largs, to assist the two paddle boarders who had become separated from their boards. Cumbrae ferry, MV Loch Shira, was in the area and able to assist with the search and transport the casualties ashore.
An opportunity to support the work of Arran RNLI will take place next weekend when the RNLI will host a coffee morning at the lifeboat station in Lamlash on Saturday May 23 from 10.30am until 12noon.
Andrew added: “Join us for tea, coffee and of course lots of delicious cake.
“Some of the crew will also be joining us to give a talk on what they do and how important your support is to saving lives at sea.”
If you see someone in trouble at sea or along the coast dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
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