Lifeboats called to Kylerhea Narrows

Lifeboats from both Kyle and Mallaig stations were called out last week after a 10-metre vessel ran aground at Kylerhea.

The vessel was navigating north through the Kylerhea Narrows when it suffered an electrical problem and stuck due to the turning of the tide.

Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred Olsen launched at 7.15am on Wednesday February 2 after receiving the call and arrived on scene first at 7.30am. A crew member was immediately put on board to assess the situation and check there was no water ingress.

Due to the rapid speed of the tide it was quickly decided to establish a tow between the Mallaig lifeboat and the casualty vessel, and the vessel was refloated at 8.15am.

Once afloat the casualty vessel managed to restart its engine and the Mallaig lifeboat proceeded to shadow them through the narrows until they came out into Loch Alsh at which time the Mallaig lifeboat returned to the station and the Kyle lifeboat took over shadowing the boat back to Kyleakin harbour where repairs could be made to the vessel.

This was the first callout of 2022 for Kyle RNLI and the first since the lifeboat came back from refit. became