Dramatic rescue of a fisherman who fell overboard has been captured on film by Coastguard helicopter

Just after 10.30am today, HM Coastguard received a VHF Radio call from a fishing vessel reporting that one of their crew had fallen overboard in Loch Hourn, between the Isle of Skye and the mainland.  The vessel had also triggered their man overboard distress alert which was also picked up by the Coastguard.  

Stornoway Coastguard helicopter and the Mallaig RNLI lifeboat were immediately sent to the scene. A Mayday relay broadcast was issued by the Coastguard asking any vessels in the area to assist.  A nearby fishing vessel raced to the scene to assist.  Working together and using a lifering, both crew managed to haul the man out of the water. 

The man was winched onboard the Coastguard helicopter and taken to Broadford landing site where he was transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. 

James Instance, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said:  ‘This was an incredible rescue captured on film.  This incident happened so quickly but the crew did all the right things by sending a distress beacon alert and informing the Coastguard on their VHF Radio. Thankfully a nearby vessel was on scene very quickly once the alarm was raised. The crew were also well-prepared in the fact that they had an EPIRB on board and shortly after the call we received an emergency signal from that beacon giving us their exact location.  EPIRBs are designed to activate when they hit the water automatically sending the coastguard your position which is displayed on our charting system – in this case when the man went overboard. We’re pleased that in this situation the crew were able to take action by recovering the man from the water.  We wish him a speedy recovery.’

Safety advice - When heading out to sea you should always make sure you have a means of alerting us if you get into difficulty. We can never get time back, speed is of the utmost importance – don’t wait for things to improve. You need to inform us as soon as a potentially difficult situation is developing - once things start to go wrong, they can develop rapidly.  Always carry a means of alerting the Coastguard if you get into difficulty. 

We recommend your vessel has an EPIRB and a fitted Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radio, a fully charged mobile phone, flares, powerful torch, a Personal Locator Beacon and appropriate personal floatation devices such as a lifejacket or buoyancy aid at all times whilst on deck. VHF coverage along the coast is generally much better. If you get into difficulty use Channel 16 to alert the Coastguard to your position.  When you make an emergency call to the coastguard from VHF radio you will tell everyone within range what your situation is even if you cannot see them – there might be someone nearby who can help you more quickly.  If you are at sea and only have a mobile phone you will only be able to speak to the person you are making the call to. If mobile network coverage is poor then you might not be able to make a mobile call at all.  If you have got a signal call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

For remote locations, consider carrying a 406 Personal Locator Beacon to raise the alarm.  Maintain your safety equipment, cutting costs will not help you in an emergency. 

HM Coastguard is also happy to receive radio checks from fishing vessels if they wish to check their equipment before heading out to sea. You should always have a plan on board for ‘what if?’ and make sure everybody on board knows their part within the plan. In this case, the vessel’s EPIRB alerted HM Coastguard and a nearby fishing vessel responded to the broadcast and was able get the casualty safely aboard.

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