When we holidayed in Scotland we called in at Tighnabruaich each evening because I could get internet access there and could send and receive messages. Our chosen spot was by the lifeboat station which meant we were there when the lifeboat was called out. It’s an inshore type. It was darkening as dusk turned to twilight.
I was sitting in the car when I became aware that the lifeboat was being hauled out.
It was pushed into the water on a cradle behind a special tractor.
Once in the water the engine was started.
The lifeboat set off.
As it set up its wake it nearly created the need for another rescue.
That floating pontoon really did the rock and roll but the photographer out on it somehow managed not to fall into the briny.
We saw the boat return, rather more sedately, when we were back at our holiday home in Kames.
The next day we visited the shop at the lifeboat station and learned what had happened. A boat described as a dinghy had suffered engine failure off the island of Inchmarnock. The sailor had installed his reserve engine which didn’t start. As he was drifting and without power he called for help and was safely rescued. He had called at the lifeboat station earlier that next day and, we were told, put a good contribution in the box
How lucky we are to have volunteers willing to ride out and effect rescues