A family group from Derbyshire with a 22 week pregnant woman amongst them, were rescued on Loch Ness after a gearbox failure left their cruiser powerless in choppy conditions

The volunteer crew of Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat were launched at
5:45pm on Tuesday 11th August after the Coastguard received a 999 call
from the family when the engine initially failed to start then had no
power, leaving them in fear of being driven onto nearby rocks.

First on scene was the research/tourist boat Deepscan skippered by Dick Raynor.

Dick
is also a Deputy Launch Authority at Loch Ness RNLI, one of the team
who authorise the launch of the charity’s Loch Ness lifeboat, an
Atlantic 75.

Dick was able to reassure the terrified family and
pass information to the Coastguard and RNLI crew. He then stood by to
assist if needed.

RNLI Volunteer Helm, Garry MacLeod led his team
of Joy Cameron and Martin Douglas to the tourist boat Kingfisher Two.
Joy Cameron boarded the cruiser, spoke to the family and rigged a tow
to the lifeboat.

An ambulance was called as the pregnant woman was extremely frightened and had abdominal cramps.

The cruiser was taken to Urquhart Harbour and the ambulance crew decided to take the woman to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.