Hm Coastguard - Western Isles, Skye And Lochaber

Today we undertook a familiarisation exercise with Stornoway RNLI to the Shiants. Excellent boat handling saw us all ashore with dry feet and some tough climbing up from the Landing spot on the North side gave us the opportunity to appreciate the terrain and look over some rescue scenarios without casualty pressure. These exercises are essential preparation and planning, because the next time it may not be summer, or daylight and life may be at risk #trainingsaveslives #uksar #coastguardrescue

Callouts, 21st June:
1500 BST: Duntulm, Portree, Dunvegan and Kyle Coastguard Rescue Teams along with Duty Officer S18C tasked to assist Scottish Ambulance Service recover a casualty with ankle injury from steep slope near Duntulm Castle, Skye. Teams assisted paramedics with stretcher transfer to the roadside and into ambulance.

Taken from the RLSS Facebook page:
If you are taking part in any water based activity this weekend make sure you are as safe as possible.
If you do find someone in trouble, check out our advice below.
... #StopDrowning #WaterSafety #RLSSUK
https://www.rlss.org.uk/how-to-rescue-som eone-from-drowning
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Callouts, 20th June:
1957 BST: Portree Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to assist RNLI Portree Lifeboat with berthing of yacht which had suffered gearbox failure at Rona Harbour, North of Raasay.

Callouts 19th June:
1918 BST: Kyle Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to prepare HLS for Coastguard R948 to refuel at Plockton, before assisting with the manning of Broadford Airstrip.
1653 BST: Barra Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to assist Scottish Ambulance Service transferring casualty with a fractured femur from Eoligarry beach to waiting ambulance.

Each year UK citizens drown on holiday abroad.
Being aware of the basic principles of water safety, can increase enjoyment and significantly reduce the number of deaths each year.
People preparing for their summer holidays should follow these tips.
... http://bit.ly/RLSSUKWaterSafetyonHoliday< br> #DPW #StopDrowning #WaterSafety
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Callouts, 18th June:
1918BST: Kyle Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to prepare HLS for Coastguard Helicopter R948 at Plockton.
1311 BST: Miavaig Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to investigate concerns for vessel that had been anchored in Loch Hamnaway, Uig for over a week. Following investigations it was found vessel was being used by local fishermen.
... 1715 BST: Portree and Dunvegan Coastguard Rescue Teams tasked to assist Coastguard R948 recover casualty with a leg injury from Neist Point, Isle of Skye. Casualty was transferred into care of Scottish Ambulance Service.
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Last month the RNLI launched their lifesaving #RespectTheWater campaign. If you get into trouble in cold water, fight your instinct to panic and #FloatToLive. Find out more at http://rnli.info/HUkb8c. #DPW #999Family #AlwaysOnCall

Advice from @RLSSUK during #DrowningPreventionWeek :
•Swim at a lifeguarded site & between 🔴🔶 flags • Swim parallel to shore, where you can quickly get to safety • Swim with friends or family, so that you can help each other if you need to... • Look for signs & advice about specific dangers where you are swimming • Think about what you will do if something goes wrong • Contact a reputable outdoor pursuits or coasteering centre if you want to take part in more extreme activities #DPW #Team999 #999Family #AlwaysOnCall
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Around 85% of accidental drownings occur at open water sites. Many of these drownings occur due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of open water safety.
You can find our open water safety tips on our website.
#StopDrowning #DPW #WaterSafety
... http://bit.ly/RLSSUKOpenWaterSafety
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Another busy weekend in the Western Isles - specifically Uist and Barra. Rope rescue in Barra on Friday, Water Rescue in Uist Saturday and Search Technician on Sunday in Uist. Thanks for the weekend time everyone, and trainers (S18B, S18D) are away home this morning! #trainingsaveslives #searchisanemergency #coastguardrescue

Teams from Skye undertook an exercise with RNLI Portree this weekend. Thanks to Portree Station Officer for organising and running it and thanks to all that took part. #coastguardrescue #trainingsaveslives

Safe Highlander 2019
We were delighted to attend Safe Highlander 2019 in Fort William. This is a major safety event aimed at schoolchildren. Our theme was drowning prevention and coastal safety. Great to interact with enthusiastic young people and our partner agencies. Stay safe everyone...

Callouts Wednesday - Friday this week:
13th June 1325 BST: Mallaig Coastguard Rescue Team and Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat tasked to vessel with 2 People on board, which was suffering engine problems at the entrance to Mallaig Harbour. Vessel taken under tow into harbour where Coastguard Team assisted berthing.
... 12th June 1342 BST: Coastguard helicopter R948 and Fort William Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to a Mayday from yacht in Fort William. One person reported in the water. Casualty taken ashore by local fishing boat and transferred to Scottish Ambulance. Yacht taken under tow to Corpach pier by local boat.
1446 BST: Portree and Kyle Coastguard Rescue Teams tasked to establish HLS at Broadford airstrip for R948. Stood down as helicopter diverted to another hospital.
1648 BST: Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Team and Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat tasked to paddle boarder who appeared in difficulty in Broad Bay area of Tong. Once on scene it was established casualty was safe and well.
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Did you know that 56% of all accidental drownings never intended to be in the water.
You are also more likely to die from drowning than by being hit by a car or in a fire.
Stay safe - bit.ly/SummerWaterSafety #STOPDROWNING... Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK #DrowningPreventionWeek
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We were immensely proud to attend the 30 year celebration of UK SAR helicopters in Stornoway and receive the Department for Transport Rescue Shield for the Rescue of an 87 year old male from cliffs on Saint Kilda last year. Making this even more special was the attendance of the Casualty - Mr Robin Scott. The Rescue Shield is the highest award possible for HM Coastguard and awarded only for the most challenging rescues.
Here is the text of the citation (see picture), which wa...s jointly awarded for 2018 to The Coastguard Rescue Service of this area, Stornoway Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) and Stornoway Search and Rescue Flight for the rescue on Saint Kilda and Shetland CGOC and Teams for a separate rope rescue incident.
For their actions on Saint Kilda individual Chief Coastguard Commendations were awarded to: Ronald Maclean (Senior Coastal Operations Officer), Willie Campbell (Station Officer) and Coastguard Rescue Officers - Nathan Harris, Willie Clark, Mitch Thompson, Alasdair Macdonald and Callum Taylor
We’ll close with the last sentence from the citation “The actions of Ronald Maclean, Willie Campbell, Nathan Harris, Willie Clark, Mitch Thompson, Alasdair Macdonald and Callum Taylor were in the finest traditions of HM Coastguard and undoubtedly saved a life”
http://www.welovestornoway.com/…/13799- award-celebration-fo…
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/…/cele bration-marks-storno…
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Callouts, 09th June:
1221 BST: Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat tasked to assist Yacht with engine failure West of Mallaig. Mallaig Coastguard Rescue Team assisted berthing vessels on return to harbour.
1207 BST: Fort William Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to establish landing site at Carrs corner for Helimed 5.
... 1319 BST: Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat tasked to a yacht with engine failure 0.5 nautical miles from Stornoway. Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Team assisted berthing vessels on return to harbour.
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