Two rescued by lifeboat from capsized dinghy
Two sailors were taken to hospital after their dingy capsized off Holy Isle last Saturday.
The volunteer crew of the Arran RNLI were called away from assisting at the annual Lamlash Splash event to rush to the distressed crew of a small dinghy which had capsized near Pillar Rock lighthouse on Holy Isle.
The crew were first alerted when they overheard radio communications from the Fisheries Support Vessel Minna which had spotted an overturned dinghy south of Holy Isle.
The lifeboat crew were soon tasked by UK Coastguard and made their way on scene using the speed of the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. Arriving, the volunteers worked with the crew from the FSV Minna who were also assisting in their RHIB.
After assessing the sailors it was decided that they would be brought back to Lamlash to an awaiting ambulance team.
The Arran RNLI crew then returned to the scene to right and recover the upturned dinghy and towed it into Lamlash bay.
It was the first callout for new crew member Rita Nemcsényi, who said: ‘Today showed us that even weather conditions deemed mild can leave sailors in a very vulnerable position. Sheer luck can’t be relied on when out at sea, so it’s very important to keep a means of calling for help close at hand.’