Storm Amy Scotland: Scottish lifeboat crews rescue yacht amid 'violent storm winds'

Oban RNLI said it assisted Tobermory lifeboat on Loch Aline around 8.30pm on Friday after the yacht dragged had dragged its anchor and the single occupant had sustained a hand injury.

The dramatic rescue took place amid an Amber weather warning, with wind gusts of up to 96mph recorded in the Inner Hebrides during Storm Amy.

According to Oban RNLI, the man on the yacht refused the offer to be evacuated from his vessel – despite being advised that the dragging anchor would likely mean the Shannon class Oban lifeboat couldn’t take him off later when his yacht got into shallower water.

The lifeboat crew then investigated places where the yacht might be secured safely and, after being told the pontoons at Lochaline had sustained damage in the storm, inspected a free anchorage that they decided could be used.

Eventually, the person on the casualty vessel agreed to being towed to safety but, after two attempts to make headway and with winds in excess of 65 knots driving the Campbell-Watson towards shore, the decision was taken to cut the tow.

The offer to evacuate the sailor from the yacht was again made and declined.

Oban lifeboat remained on scene for over an hour and, with the yacht now holding position and the winds having started to drop, the crew made their way back to Oban arriving back at 1.30am.

In statement on Facebook, Oban RNLI said: “The person on the casualty vessel agreed to being towed to safety.

“But after two attempts to make headway, and with winds in excess of 65 knots, the decision was taken to cut the tow.

“Oban lifeboat remained on scene for over an hour and, with the yacht now holding position and the winds having started to drop”