Oban Lifeboat called out to yacht rescue in violent storm winds

Lifeboat crews in the Highlands have been called to a yacht rescue during “violent storm winds” on Loch Aline.

Oban RNLI said it assisted Tobermory lifeboat at about 20:30 on Friday after the yacht dragged its anchor and the man on board injured his hand.

The incident came during an Amber weather warning, with gusts of up to 96mph recorded in the Inner Hebrides during Storm Amy.

Oban RNLI said the crew waited for an hour for winds to calm as the man “refused to be evacuated from his vessel”, returning to Oban at 01:30.

The team said it was easy to get disorientated in “confused sea conditions” on the loch, as power cuts had left the shoreline in darkness.

In statement on social media, 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.”

There was widespread damage and more than 60,000 homes left without power after Storm Amy swept across Scotland overnight.

An amber weather warning remains in place until 21:00 in the north of Scotland, with a wider yellow warning across the country.