Early alarm call for RNLI's Buckie lifeboat
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There was no lie in for volunteer RNLI crew in Buckie on Saturday morning after their pagers woke them at 6.40am, with the lifeboat putting to sea shortly after 6.50am.
An 18ft fishing boat had suffered engine failure and had called for assistance, drifting some 2.5 miles north-east of Portnockie.
Making best speed in excellent conditions, Buckie’s Severn-class 'William Blannin' drew alongside the casualty just 20 minutes later, around 7.10am.
Coxswain Mike Rennie says: “Both crew members were wearing lifejackets and seemed well-equipped.
"Their mechanical failure meant a tow to the nearest safe harbour, Portnockie, was needed.”
Approaching Portnockie, it was clear the shallow water at low tide would deny access to the 40-tonne Severn, so coxswain Rennie made plans to deploy the inflatable Y-boat to take over the last 200 metres of the tow into harbour. In the event this was not necessary as a local boat, the Westward, was just leaving harbour as the lifeboat approached and offered to tow the casualty in.
“I’d like to thank our volunteer crew for a swift turnout and a professional service,” says coxswain Mike Rennie, “and also to thank the crew of the Westward for their assistance in the final stages.”
