UK Text message starts Coastguard rescue of 76 year old Polish yachtsman
Published: July 13, 2006
Aberdeen Coastguard received a ‘999′ call at 7:12 p.m. from a member of the public who had received an sms text message from two friends who were at Whiten Head near Loch Eriboll. The couple, who were French, had spotted an 8 metre yacht close to Whiten Head which appeared to be in difficulties.
Calls to the yacht went unanswered however; the Fisheries Protection Vessel ‘Jura’ responded to a general call to any vessels in the area and agreed to proceed to the area. Meanwhile Melness Coastguard Rescue team was sent to try and establish the location of the yacht. Due to the nature of the terrain it entailed a six mile trek on foot to reach the headland.
Thurso RNLI lifeboat was launched to assist and Durness Coastguard Rescue team were sent in an attempt to locate the casualty from the other side of Loch Eriboll.
George Downie, Watch Manager, Aberdeen Maritime and Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said: “The ‘Jura’ on approaching the yacht could see a man waving however, despite repeated calls on the radio they could not talk to the vessel. The yachtsman eventually fired a red flare and the ‘Jura’ launched their fast rescue craft.
The yacht was identified as the ‘Gowat’, with one person on board. The yachtsman, a Polish national had little English and communications were difficult. Shortly afterward the lifeboat arrived on scene.
By chance, a Coastguard Watch Assistant (a Polish national) based at Aberdeen, was able to communicate with the yachtsman via the lifeboat crew passing a handheld radio to the yachtsman.
It transpired the yacht’s engine had seized and one of the lifeboat men reported “water up to the floor”. The yachtsman refused to leave the yacht and attempts to rig a tow by the lifeboat were problematic due to the lack of towing facilities on the yacht. A tow was eventually fashioned and the lifeboat and yacht are now heading to Scrabster with an estimated time of arrival of 1:50 a.m.
The 76 year old yachtsman is very experienced and has sailed all round the world. “
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