Dog left driving boat after four people tipped into sea

Stornoway Coastguard coordinated the rescue of four people from the sea and a Labrador dog from a motorboat that was going in circles yesterday afternoon half a mile off Mallaig.

Fishing vessel Alex C reported the incident at just before 4.30pm this afternoon. Mallaig RNLI All Weather Lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Stornoway were sent to the scene. The well boat Ronja commander also went to help.

Four people were pulled from the water by the fishing vessel Alex C leaving the lifeboat to stop the motorboat and save the dog.

”Rescue services”

The lifeboat managed to stop the motorboat by fouling the propeller and the dog was safely recovered. None of those involved in the incident needed medical attention.

Stornoway Coastguard Watch Manager Carol Collins said: “I’d like to thank the Alex C for reporting the incident and helping to recover people from the water.
”It is believed that the motorboat was tipped by a large wave and everyone ended up in the water, apart from the dog, which was all alone on the boat as it carried on and on.

”Whilst the incident may sound funny, the people in the water were in danger not only from the cold sea but also from the propellers, so I’d like to remind all motorboat enthusiasts to use a kill cord. It will stop your boats engine in an emergency and make it easier for the rescue services to find you.”

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