RNLI Kessock rescue two sailors following dinghy capsize

Kessock Lifeboat crew came to the aid of two people on Wednesday afternoon, after a small wooden sailing dinghy with two people on board reported taking on water and then capsizing, throwing the sailors into the water.

The incident unfolded between Fortrose and Avoch, over an area known locally as Skate Bank. The dinghy started taking on water resulting in a capsize. The two sailors, who were wearing lifejackets, were thrown away from the vessel into the water during the capsize.

Kessock Lifeboat volunteers launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and made best speed to the scene, arriving seven minutes later.

UK Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 951 and the Inverness Coastguard team were also tasked to make their way to the scene.

Arriving on scene the lifeboat crew found the two casualties had managed to get back into the dingy but it swamped with water. Within minutes, both were quickly recovered to the lifeboat and their conditions assessed. They were found to be suffering the effects of hypothermia following their immersion in the water. Reports suggested they may have been in the water for around 35 minutes before the alarm was raised.

Volunteer helmsman Stan MacRae said "The dingy started taking on water because of the conditions. The two men found they couldn’t bail it out fast enough, which led to the capsize. When we assessed their condition it was obvious they needed further medical attention and the best thing to do was to get them winched into the helicopter and away to hospital as fast as possible"

Both sailors were taken on board UK Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 951 to Raigmore hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the lifeboat crew returned to the scene of the capsize to recover the sailing dinghy. They managed to pump it out and then take it under tow back to Fortrose Sailing Club where they were given assistance by members of the sailing club and Inverness Coastguard team to recover it back onto its trailer.

Having got the dinghy back ashore to prevent it being a hazard to any other vessels, the lifeboat and crew were stood down from the incident and returned to the lifeboat station in North Kessock.