Portpatrick RNLI lifeboat crew saves four lives
The lifeboat service are encouraging people to check wind and tides before going out into the water.
HM Coastguard called out Portpatrick RNLI for the immediate launch of the lifeboat on Saturday 13th July for the third time in a week.
The team helped assist two small inflatable dinghies who were drifting south of the Mull of Galloway due to loss of power.
Both boats had two people each on board.
All four people and their stricken vessels were safely rescued and brought back to shore before being handed over to the coastguard team.
Andy Stakes, Portpatrick RNLI volunteer coxswain said, ‘Todays incident was remarkably similar to events back in June when we saved two people and a dog at the Mull of Galloway. We would like to remind everyone that the Mull of Galloway is a particularly challenging area for wind and tidal swells.
'The conditions yesterday were calm with a light breeze but when we arrived at the scene the vessels had already drifted around 2.5 miles away from the shore.
‘Luckily, the persons on board were carrying a mobile phone and were able to contact the coastguard before they drifted to far away from land and out of the range of telephone signal.’
Ian Marshall, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portpatrick added, ‘We are extremely proud of our team here at Portpatrick. This was the third call out this week and another four lives saved.
‘We encourage everyone thinking of taking part in any water sports to check the wind and tides before heading out, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and most importantly, carry a means of calling for help that is always easily accessible.’