Recent surge in rescues forces Portpatrick RNLI to issue out safety warnings
They’ve had four call outs in one week.
Last updated 16th Jul 2024
A charity saving lives at sea has been called out four times in one week.
On the last official rescue, the crew assisted two small inflatable dinghies who were drifting south of the Mull of Galloway due to loss of power.
All four people on board the two stricken vessels were brought back to safety on land.
Following the recent surge of callouts, the Portpatrick RNLI is urging water users to be extra cautious before heading out to sea.
Mechanic John Connor Coxswain says it’s critical to let someone know where you’re going to be when you’re out at sea, the duration of how long you’ll be gone and when you arrived back.
He also adds: “Make sure your equipment is well maintained, make sure you’ve got a lifejacket, flares, a mobile phone, a handheld VHF radio, and check whether and tides.”
All of their recent shout outs have been in the Mull of Galloway area so the team is encouraging everyone to be familiar with the area:
“The Mull of Galloway is a well-known location, more so for the lighthouse but also for the very tricky tides and currents which can present tough navigable seas round the Mull where if you’re unaware of the tides and the winds, you can end up in very tricky situations.”
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.”