Lifeboats called out during Storm Amy to help injured sailor on drifting yacht

Two lifeboat crews were called out during an amber weather warning to help a yacht in trouble near the Isle of Mull.

Oban and Tobermory lifeboats were called to help the yachtsman in Loch Aline on Morvern around 8.30pm on Friday.

The boat had drifted from position due to its anchor dragging while the man on board had sustained a hand injury.

Tobermory’s crew was unable to get close enough to evacuate the injured man due to the boat being in shallow water.

Oban’s volunteer crew was launched the help, facing “very rough” sea conditions and strong winds.

A spokesperson said: “Once on scene, [the crew] found that the gale was blowing straight up the loch, causing confused sea conditions and, with local power cuts resulting in no lights ashore, it was easy to get disoriented.

“The person on the yacht refused the offer to be evacuated from his vessel despite being advised that the dragging anchor would likely mean the Oban lifeboat couldn’t take him off later when his yacht got into shallower water.

“The lifeboat crew then investigated places where the yacht might be secured safely and, after being told the pontoons at Lochaline had sustained damage in the storm, inspected a free anchorage that they decided could be used.”

The yachtsman agreed to be towed to safety, but the rescue had to be abandoned due to the winds.

As the sailor refused offers to be evacuated, the Oban lifeboat stayed with the yacht for over an hour until it was able to hold position.