Group rescued from fishing boat as Storm Aiden swept in

The 22ft vessel got into difficulty on Loch Etive, west of Airds Point in Argyll and Bute, on Saturday afternoon.

Group rescued from fishing boat as Storm Aiden swept in Email

A rescue operation was launched to save four people from a broken down fishing boat as Storm Aiden battered Scotland with rain and high winds.

The 22ft vessel got into difficulty on Loch Etive, west of Airds Point in Argyll and Bute, on Saturday afternoon.

The group on board managed to secure the boat to a fish farm mooring while waiting for assistance.

A volunteer crew from RNLI Oban Lifeboat Station took off at 3.45pm and arrived at the scene 30 minutes later.

Windy: The volunteer crew launched a rescue mission as Storm Aiden battered Scotland.Email

Attempts were made to tow the boat towards Taynuilt, where the group had launched from by trailer earlier in the day, however the pier was mostly submerged due to the high tide.

For safety reasons, the boat was instead secured to a mooring in Airds Bay.

Those on board were then transferred onto the Oban lifeboat and taken to Dunstaffnage Marina. The group eventually made it back to land by 6.30pm.

Ally Cerexhe, coxswain at Oban Lifeboat Station, said: “With the bad weather set to continue for the rest of the weekend, please take extra care when visiting the coast and think twice about heading out on the water in these conditions. 

“Although the lochs may appear to provide some shelter, the strong winds and high tides still pose the same risk. 

“If you do see anyone in difficulty, remember to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

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