Oban Lifeboat's Year.
2011 was a slightly quieter year than last with a total of 47 calls out as opposed to 57 in 2010. Interestingly medical evacuations from Mull were down from 17 to 5 so in other respects the lifeboat was busier. Calls out have reduced steadily in recent years from a peak of 104 in 1999 and it is hoped that this may, in part, be due to the RNLI’s Sea Safety initiative which commenced around that time. The breakdown of calls is as follows :- Medical Evacuations from Craignure...........5 Medical evacuations from vessels.............5 Vessels aground..............................7 Engine failures..............................7 Vessel in trouble (various problems).........9 Vessel making water..........................0 Diving incidents.............................1 Red flare reports............................0 Missing persons..............................1 Canoeists....................................4 Fatalities...................................0 Person in water..............................3 Mayday Call..................................0 Vessel overdue...............................2 Vessel on fire...............................0 Locate carrier on distress frequency.........1 Convey midwife to Craignure..................1 Distress beacon (false alarm)................1 Total.......................................47

Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald,launches on 'Pregevac' to Craignure.
12 December 2011
Oban Lifeboat, the “Mora Edith Macdonald”, was launched at 11.15 p.m. on Sunday night, 11 December to convey a woman in labour from the Isle of Mull to Oban from where she was transferred to hospital in Paisley. Any thought that the 5th birth on board was about to take place was dispelled when the lady reached Oban without any action and was taken by ambulance to hospital. Had the birth taken place on the lifeboat, the lady would have been in good hands since two ambulance-men, a midwife and Dr Colin Wilson of the lifeboat crew were all on board!

Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald,launches in storm force winds to a yacht in Loch Creran.
8 December 2011
Oban lifeboat crew responded extremely quickly to their pagers this evening at 4.59 p.m. as storm-force winds of between force 9 and 11 pounded the area. The call for assistance came from the 32ft. yacht "Sapphire" with 3 persons aboard which was dragging her anchor in Loch Creran in dreadful conditions and the lifeboat launched within 7 minutes of Pagers. It is worth noting that, in these extreme conditions, 12 crew members turned up - only half of whom were required. This really underlines the spirit of the R.N.L.I. voluntary crews around our coasts who are always well aware of weather conditions and are more than usually on "stand-by" in days like these. The lifeboat launched at 5.06 p.m. with an E.T.A. at the casualty of 5.51 p.m. The lifeboat was alongside the Casualty as forecast and, by arrangement with the skipper, took the yacht alongside the lifeboat and placed her on a mooring at the nearby Marine Resource Centre and landing her crew there. The lifeboat returned to Oban and was refuelled and ready for service again at 8.40 p. m.

Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald,launches amid concerns for divers in the Falls of Lora.
3 November 2011
The possibility that two divers might have found themselves in serious trouble near the Falls of Lora, Loch Etive, by Oban after the passing of a small cargo vessel, caused Oban R.N.L.I. lifeboat to launch at 1.56 pm this afternoon. The divers surfaced safely, however, and the lifeboat was stood down, returning to Station at 2.19 pm.

Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, was launched to search for a missing Canoeist in the Falls of Lora.
28 October 2011
A phone call to Oban Police from a member of the public on Friday evening 28 October resulted in Clyde Coastguard requesting the launch of Oban Lifeboat to assist in the search for a canoeist seen to being swept into the Falls of Lora under Connel Bridge. From a party of three, two had successfully made the shore but the third person was unaccounted for. Ambulance and Fire-brigade services were alerted but the missing canoeist was located on the South shore of the loch with no serious injuries. Oban Lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 6.06.pm

Oban RNLI Lifeboat locates missing person after Major Search.
9-10 October 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, the Mora Edith Macdonald, was launched yesterday, Sunday, at 8.15PM to assist in the search for a person missing and four hours overdue in a small outboard propelled dinghy. The Lonesome Dove had left Toberonachy on the island of Luing with one person aboard bound for Torsa via Loch Melfort when it ran out of fuel. The incident sparked a major search involving Oban Lifeboat, Oban Coastguard Coast Rescue Company, the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter and Police Officers. After an extensive search the boat and occupant were located by the lifeboat near Degnish point at around 0115. Following his transfer to Oban Lifeboat the owner was examined by crewmember Dr Colin Wilson and was found to be cold but otherwise OK . The casualty and his boat were landed at Luing ferry slipway and the Lifeboat then transferred police officers to the slipway on the Seil side of the sound before returning to Oban arriving at 0204. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service at 0240. Coxswain Ronnie McKillop praised the efforts of his crew who, though sea conditions were slight, were greatly hampered in the long search with rain and drizzle rendering their searchlights very ineffective.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to Yacht in trouble.
3 October 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, was paged at 1304 for immediate launch today, Monday, to the aid of the Yacht 'Postscript', broken down off Maiden Island, with two persons aboard and afriendly Dalmation called 'Bosun'. The lifeboat launched at 1315 and was on scene at 1320. A tow was quickly established but re-entering Oban Bay was delayed to leave the entrance clear for two Cal- Mac ferries to transit the entrance. The yacht was secured on a mooring at Oban Marina at 1355 and the lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 1415.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to 999 Call.
1 October 2011
Pagers at 1.40 a.m. this morning sent Oban Lifeboat Mora Edith Macdonald off on a search of Loch Creran for a man who had dialled 999 and was connected with the Police. He did not know, however, where he was and it was some time before it was established he was actually in a boat and somewhere in Loch Creran. Oban Coastguard and the lifeboat then carried out a joint search, the lifeboat covering the North shore while the coastguard team combed the beach on the South shore where they found him very confused. It transpired that he was from the yacht Freya where his friend was still asleep but without a dinghy. A member of the coastguard team rowed the dinghy out to the yacht, secured her there and returned to Oban aboard the lifeboat – a real joint affair. The “lost” man was left speaking to the Police. Mora Edith Macdonald was back on station, refuelled and ready for service again at 4.25 a.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to injured walker.
15 September 2011
Following a 999 call to Clyde Coastguard Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, was paged at 1228 for immediate launch today, Thursday, to recover an injured walker from the bothy at Inniemore bay on the Morvern peninsula. The lifeboat launched at 1235 and arrived on scene at 1308 where two crewmembers went ashore in an inflatable dinghy. The 27 year old male casualty, who had suffered a damaged ankle at 10PM the previous night and was sheltering in the bothy, was assisted to the dinghy and recovered to the lifeboat. The lifeboat left the scene at 1345 arriving in Oban at 1420 where the patient was transferred by ambulance to Lorn and the Isles District General Hospital. The lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 1444

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to 'Man Overboard' Beacon.
8 September 2011
Following information from Clyde Coastguard that an electronic Man Overboard Alarm had been activated by the fishing vessel Marelann Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald was paged for immediate launch at 0540 today, Thursday, and launched at 0545. Fortunately, the owner of the Marelann was known to Deputy Coxswain David Isaac who immediately phoned him and established that all was well and that, unknown to him, the alarm had malfunctioned. The lifeboat was stood down at 0604 and was re-fuelled and ready for service at 0619.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to capsized canoeists.
7 September 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald was paged for immediate launch at 1011 today, Wednesday, and launched three minutes later at 1014. Two members of a party of three canoeists had capsized about a mile south of Easdale Island. The third member of the group managed to get ashore and ran to a nearby house to raise the alarm. A number of other vessels responded to the Coastguard’s call for assistance and Oban lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter arrived on scene at 1043 just as the two casualties made it to the shore. The Coastguard helicopter had a paramedic aboard and it was decided that the helicopter would transfer one of the party, who was suspected to be suffering from hypothermia, to hospital in Oban. The lifeboat was stood down at 1048 and was re-fuelled and ready for service at 1148.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist man in the water.
4 September 2011
Oban lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, was called out at 1.45 a.m. this morning to assist in the recovery of a young man spotted by the Police in the sea just off the Railway Pier. When the lifeboat arrived on scene at 1.48 a.m. the Police had recovered the 18 year-old on to the deck of a fishing boat from where the lifeboat took him to a waiting ambulance at the Lifeboat slip and on to Oban Hospital. The lifeboat was ready for service again at 2.25 a.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches twice within 7 hours.
28 August 2011 (25th Call-out this Year)
The day started early for Oban Lifeboat crew when pagers at 4.56 a.m. sent them South to assist the 42 ft. ketch, Clover, with 4 persons aboard. The yacht had dragged her anchor in Easdale Sound and was aground near the old pier. The Fisheries Protection Vessel Mina was standing by while the ketch kedged herself off in the WNW force 5/6 that was blowing through this small anchorage. The re-floated casualty requested the lifeboat to lead her out of the channel to the West but declined any further escort thereafter. The lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald, returned to station and was re-fuelled and ready for service again at 6.35 a.m. after a total run of 19.5 miles - a very different distance from the second “shout” of the day which took place “on the doorstep” at noon. At 11.50 a.m. the lifeboat launched to evacuate the skipper of the yacht Squabble on a mooring some 200 yards from the lifeboat station. The patient, who had injured his back, was transferred by ambulance to Oban Hospital. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service once again at 13.35 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat assists 56 foot yacht, 'Tenacity'..
18 August 2011
The Mora Edith Macdonald launched on Thursday 18 August to the aid of a Swan 56 yacht Tenacity which had gone hard aground on rocks at Rubha Fionn-aird in the Lynn of Lorne and some 5 miles North of Oban. Four persons were aboard one of whom had sustained facial injuries when the yacht struck. The tide was ebbing and the lifeboat stood by until Low Water at 3 p.m. to ensure the stability of the vessel before returning to station having arranged to stand by again later as the tide rose. At 4.45 p.m. she returned to the grounded yacht and, using her own “daughter boat”, established a tow with Tenacity. The casualty was making water but her pumps were coping and the lifeboat escorted her into Oban Marina on the Island of Kerrera where arrangements were made to have her hauled out later that night.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launched but then recalled.
13 August 2011
Oban Lifeboat, the Mora Edith Macdonald, was launched at 4.43 p.m. to the aid of a broken-down rib with 11 persons on board. The casualty, Sandpiper, was drifting helplessly North East of the notorious Gulf of Corryvrechan between the islands of Scarba and Jura. However, local boat “Porpoise II” on an eco-tour, took the rib and her ocupants in tow and headed for Craobh Haven allowing Oban Lifeboat to be recalled at 5.05 p.m. Mora Edith Macdonald was refuelled and ready for service again at 5.45 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to a Mayday call.
2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 0730 today, Thursday, in response to a call from the fishing vessel Natalie Rose. A crewmember was taken ill aboard the Natalie Rose while fishing near Berneray in the Lynn of Morvern. The Natalie Rose proceeded towards Oban meeting the lifeboat off Lismore lighthouse where the casualty was transferred. The patient was cared for by Gavin Turner, a paramedic and crewmember, during the short run back to Oban where he was landed at 0816 to be transferred to Lorn and the Isles District General Hospital. The lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 0826.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launched.
31 July 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 0310 today, Sunday, in response to a call from a yacht alongside pontoons at the marina on Kerrera. The Lifeboat evacuated a female with a head injury, returning to the Lifeboat slip at 0344.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launched.
30 July 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 0418 today, Saturday, in response to a call from a fishing boat with a steering failure. The Lifeboat returned to its berth and was refuelled and ready again for service at 0455.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to Mayday call.
19 July 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 1738 today, Thursday, in response to a mayday call from the yacht Rachel. The 32’ yacht, with two persons aboard had run aground at the entrance to Loch Creran, some eight miles North of Oban. The yacht re-floated unaided and, when it was established that she was not making water and was proceeding to Dunstaffnage Marina under her own power, the lifeboat was stood down at 1752. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service at 1822.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to fishing vessel aground.
19 July 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 1054 today, Monday, to the aid of a fishing vessel aground on Sgeir Rathaid in the middle of Oban Bay. The Campbeltown registered fishing vessel Gleaner II with seven persons aboard ran aground on Sgeir Rathaid around 1035 this morning. The Lifeboat was paged at around 1049 and launched at 1054 reaching the vessel some minutes later. It was considered that there was little point in risking damage to the vessel by attempting to tow her off and some time later it was decided to take the crew ashore until an attempt to re-float is made approaching high water this evening. The lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 1145. In the evening as high water approached, the lifeboat landed the casualty’s crew on board again and stood by her to await developments. At 7.40 p.m. she floated off and was escorted into Oban Harbour for inspection. The lifeboat was ready for service again at 8 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to yacht aground.
7 July 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 1511 today, Thursday, to the aid of a yacht aground in Ardmucknish bay, just North of Oban. The 41 foot charter yacht “Aurora” with four persons aboard had called Clyde Coastguard following her grounding on rocks just South of Camus Nathais. Soon after the lifeboat launched the angling vessel, “Laura Dawn” arrived on scene and pulled the stricken vessel off which was fortunate as the tide was still falling. The “Laura Dawn” stood by the yacht until the Lifeboat arrived on scene at 1525. Deputy coxswain David Isaac was put aboard to check the “Aurora” to check for ingress of water or shaft damage and the yacht was escorted to Oban Marina. The Lifeboat returned to station at 1605 and was re-fuelled and ready for service at 16.20

Oban RNLI Lifeboat assists single handed sailor.
4 July 2011
Oban lifeboat, the Mora Edith Macdonald, launched at 7.21 p.m. to the aid of a single-handed catamaran sailor who had capsized in Ardmucknish Bay just North of Dunstaffnage near Oban. The sailor was unable to right the boat, Shazam, without assistance. Deputy Coxswain, David Isaac went aboard the catamaran and the two men were able to turn her right-way-up. The lifeboat then towed the catamaran back to the nearby Dunstaffnage Marina. The lifeboat was back on Station refuelled and ready for service again at 8.48 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat assists 32 foot yacht.
30 June 2011
Oban lifeboat, the Mora Edith Macdonald, was, this afternoon, launched to the aid of the Contessa class yacht Lady G whose progress was suddenly halted when she picked up, in her propellor, the rope anchoring one end of a fleet of lobster creels. This was just over a mile from Oban Harbour and it took only 10 minutes for the lifeboat to reach the stricken yacht on board which there were two adults and two dogs. Coxn. MacKillop put crew member Ian Stevenson aboard the Lady G to assist and the yacht was shortly freed but without power. The lifeboat then towed her in to Oban Marina on the Island of Kerrera before returning to Oban where she was refuelled and ready for service again at 2.55 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat in search for kayaker.
22 June 2011
Pagers at 2.59 pm this afternoon saw Oban R.N.L.I. lifeboat make a fast launch at 3.05 pm to join in the search for an overdue kayaker who had left Corran Ferry, Lochaber to paddle a few miles to Onich . His girlfriend, waiting for him at Onich, became anxious as the time she had expected him passed and she, wisely, called Coastguard who requested Oban lifeboat, an R.A.F. Seaking Search & Rescue helicopter and Appin Coastguard to join in the search. The lifeboat covered the coastline in the area from Cuil Bay to the Corran Ferry until the missing kayaker was found by Appin Coastguard near Linnhe Marine, Duror, well South of his intended destination. The lifeboat returned to station and was refuelled and ready for service again at 5.48 pm

Oban RNLI Lifeboat self-launches.
15 June 2011
Oban Lifeboat Coxswain, Ronnie MacKillop, sitting at his desk in the lifeboat station this afternoon wasted no time in paging the crew without reference to the Coastguard or Lifeboat Operations Manager when he heard on the station radio, “mayday, mayday, mayday – have hit a rock and may be sinking – I can see Dunstaffnage” The lifeboat launched 5 minutes later at 2.28 p.m. only to be recalled 24 minutes later when the yacht, the Elobeid with 4 persons and 2 dogs aboard radioed that she was not damaged and was returning to Dunstaffnage Marina under her own power. The lifeboat Mora Edith Macdonald returned to Oban and was ready for service again at 2.52 p.m.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - arrives just in the nick of time!.
4 June 2011
The 34 ft. yacht “Ailsa” with one person aboard was yesterday evening picked up by Oban Lifeboat just before she would have struck the reef known as Liath Sgeir off the South West corner of the Isle of Lismore. The lifeboat, launched at 1706 hours, reached the casualty and put a crew member on board to assist the sole sailor in setting up a tow. Lack of wind, tide and machinery problems contributed to the situation. “Ailsa” was towed into Dunstaffnage Marina and the Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 1927 hours.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - Search for dinghy in Loch Linnhe.
2 June 2011
Less than 12 hours after returning from her previous “shout”, the Mora Edith Macdonald launched at 0110 hours this morning to assist in the search for a dinghy some 2 miles South of Fort William. This white dinghy with 3 persons aboard was apparently taking water and a mobile phone aboard was used to alert the police and coastguard. A nearby yacht, “ Lauren El” used one of her daughter-boats to pick up the dinghy’s occupants who were taken ashore where they were met by Coastguard and Police. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to Oban where she was refuelled and was ready for service again at 0332 hours.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - launches in massive search for overdue vessel.
1 June 2011
Though information was sketchy it was thought that a rib, with two persons aboard, had left Craobh Haven in Loch Melfort yesterday, possibly bound for Fingal’s Cave on the Island of Staffa. There had been no contact with the vessel since she left although polling of a mobile phone suggested that it is located within about eight and a half miles of Loch Melfort. When initial calls to all vessels and early enquiries brought no result Clyde Coastguard declared a Pan Pan, later upgraded to a Mayday. Oban and Islay R.N.L.I. lifeboats were launched to search together with six Coastguard teams and Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter was dispatched. Conditions were poor with strong winds and bad visibility. Just after 4 p.m. Clyde Coastguard reported that the vessel had been located by Craignure Coast Rescue Company sheltering at the head of Loch Buie on the Isle of Mull. Presumably the mobile phone had been left at Craobh Haven. All units were then stood down. Oban Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 5.03 p.m. This call adds weight to the R.N.L.I. message “tell someone where you are going and carry a means of calling for help”.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - launches to the aid of grounded yacht.
29 May 2011
Oban R.N.L.I. lifeboat, the “Mora Edith Macdonald”, launched to the assistance of the yacht “Prime Cut”, aground in Seil Sound in a fresh South-westerly wind on Sunday afternoon at 1538 hours. Two persons were aboard. The fishing boat “Polestar”, however, was on hand to refloat the casualty who was put on a mooring, she and her crew apparently none the worse of their experience. The lifeboat was recalled and was back in Oban refuelled and ready for service again at 1640 hours.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - Medevac from the Isle of Mull.
16 May 2011
An elderly man was evacuated from the the Isle of Mull in the middle of the night after a Doctor deemed it necessary to have him hospitalised without delay. Oban R.N.L.I. lifeboat, the “Mora Edith Macdonald”, left Oban at 0354 hours and the patient was transferred to Oban hospital by ambulance from the lifeboat berth at 0515 hours. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 0535.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat assists single-handed sailor.
13 May 2011
Just after 6 p.m. on Thursday evening the 35 ft. yacht “Io Contesto ran aground on Rubha Fion-aird, a point on the mainland opposite the Isle of Lismore. She was being sailed single-handedly by a yachtsman from Glencoe to Oban and was spotted originally by the Lismore to Oban ferry, the “Eigg” who pulled him off the shore and held the yacht until the arrival of Oban Lifeboat, the “Mora Edith Macdonald”. Deputy Coxswain, Mark Scott put crew member David Isaac aboard the “Io Contesto” to assist the lone yachtsman and the lifeboat towed the casualty to Oban Bay where she was laid alongside the pontoons in Ardentrive Bay, Isle of Kerrera. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 2045 hours.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - 13 Hours of Service - 4 Emergencies
1 May 2011
What started out at 11 a.m. on Saturday for the Coxswain and crew of Oban R.N.L.I. lifeboat “Mora Edith Macdonald” as a brief filming session with a B.B.C. team for their “Blue Peter” series turned out to be the beginning of a very long day involving four serious services. While on the way to meet up with the B.B.C. film crew just after 11 a.m. the lifeboat was tasked to convey a lady with a badly injured leg from a yacht in the marina at Ardentrive on the Isle of Kerrera to a waiting ambulance at the lifeboat berth in Oban from where she was transferred to Lorn & the Isles Hospital in Oban. The lifeboat was then able to complete the filming in Loch Buie, Mull but, just as she was leaving for home, she was asked by Coastguard to go to the assistance of the 18 ft. “Rib Raider” with four persons aboard, broken down and drifting towards rocks 400 yards from the North end of the Isle of Colonsay. The “rib” was taken in tow and the four crew taken aboard the lifeboat. Conditions were such that the tow became difficult and lifeboat crewman, James Woolnough, donned a wet suit and went into the water to attach a fresh and stronger tow-rope to the casualty’s bow-ring. Towing re-commenced with an E.T.A. Easdale of 1900. Shortly afterwards the “Mora Edith Macdonald” was advised that a boat with 5 persons aboard had capsized at the head of Loch Etive – four of whom had made it to the shore and one person missing. At this point, the lifeboat anchored the rib near the Garvelloch Islands and made full speed for Loch Etive. Once more, however, another incident intervened when three canoeists capsized off Duart Point, Mull and the lifeboat diverted to the scene. Two of the canoeists were able to swim ashore and the third was picked up by the nearby “Sandpiper” allowing the lifeboat to resume course for Loch Etive during which she landed the four survivors of the original rib at Dunstaffnage. It was, therefore, about 7 p.m. before the lifeboat reached the search area which she searched for the next 3 hours along with Ronnie Campbell’s “Laura Donn” and the Coastguard’s “Hawk”. As darkness fell, the lifeboat was stood down at 9.43 p.m. and returned to Oban 1 hour later. She was refuelled and ready for service again at 11.15 p.m. and the crew left for home 13 hours after launching.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - launches to the aid of 52 foot Moody Yacht - 'Morag Star'
16 April 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, “Mora Edith Macdonald”, launched at 1410 hours this afternoon, 16 April, to the aid of the 54 foot Moody yacht “Morag Star” whose engine failed just as she was approaching the pontoons at Oban Marina, Ardentrive Bay on the Isle of Kerrera. The yacht was quickly blown ashore but almost immediately towed off by the prawn fishing boat “Lodestar”. The owner of “Lodestar” is Deputy Coxswain of Oban Lifeboat, David Isaac, who happened to be in the area at the time and who held the casualty off until arrival of the lifeboat. The “Mora Edith Macdonald” then took over and laid the casualty alongside the pontoons returning thereafter to her berth at 1444 hours. She was refuelled and ready for service again at 1451 hours.

Oban RNLI Lifeboat - Launches to the aid of 52 foot Motor Cruiser
23 February 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, “Mora Edith Macdonald”, launched at 2315 hours last night to the aid of the 52 ft. Motor Cruiser “Silver Dee” with two persons aboard and aground in Achnacree Bay in Loch Etive just east of Connel Bridge. Before reaching the Bridge, however, the lifeboat met the casualty who had re-floated herself and was heading for the marina at Dunstaffnage having apparently sustained no serious damage. The lifeboat stood by until “Silver Dee” was safely alongside at the marina. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 15 minutes past midnight.

Oban Lifeboat - Medevac from the Isle of Mull
9 February 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, “Mora Edith Macdonald”, launched at 1850 hours this evening to bring a male patient from the Isle of Mull to Oban where he was transferred by ambulance to Lorn & the Isles District General Hospital. The patient was from Bunessan on the island and was accompanied on the lifeboat by Oban Paramedic, John Barbour. The lifeboat returned to Oban at 2036 and was refuelled and ready for service again at 2054 hours.

Oban Lifeboat launches to the aid of a 5 metre RIB
5 February 2011
Oban’s RNLI Lifeboat, “Mora Edith Macdonald”, launched at 1331 hours on Saturday afternoon to assist four divers who had been diving on the war-time wreck of the cargo vessel “Breda” in Ardmucknish Bay at the mouth of Loch Etive. On returning to the surface the four men were unable to restart the engine of their boat “Rotherham Diver” to return to the shore. The lifeboat took them in tow and returned them to Puffin Dive centre in the Sound of Kerrera from where they had set out. The lifeboat returned to her berth at 1448 and was refuelled and ready for service again at 1500 hours.

Oban Lifeboat - Medevac from the Isle of Mull
25 January 2011
Medevac from the Isle of Mull The lifeboat arrived at Craignure at 0037 and departed seven minutes later arriving in Oban at 0118. The male patient was transferred to Lorn & the Isles District General Hospital and the lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service at 0135. This service was the first in 2011.