Lifeboat launched for Ennard Bay rescue

The Lochinver lifeboat goes to the aid of the stricken inflatable boat.

THE Lochinver lifeboat was launched on Wednesday morning to the aid of a rigid inflatable boat which had fouled its propeller with a rope and was adrift in strong south westerly winds in Ennard Bay.

The request to launch was from the Stornoway Coastguard who had been in communication with the crew of the boat to discuss their difficulties.

The weather was poor with winds blowing from the south west at near gale force strength, pushing up a choppy sea.

Fortunately the crew of the inflatable were able to free the rope from their propeller shortly prior to the Lochinver lifeboat arriving on scene, within about 11 minutes of being called out.

The boat was able to return to the slip at Inver Polly under escort by the lifeboat which provided shelter from the worst of the winds.

Having first made sure the troubled inflatable was able to make it safely back to shore, the lifeboat returned to station.