Harris lifeboat trial starts 11th May

[Nick]

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A Mersey class lifeboat is to be stationed at Leverburgh in the Sound of Harris in May May for a year-long trial. The boat will cover an area of sea which presently takes crews from Stornoway two hours to reach. The RNLI will gauge the success of the trial before consideration is given to setting up a permanent station.

[Arghiro]

Hmm, one doesn't quite know whether one should wish them many sucessful rescues or not! I'd like to hope no-one will need their services, but that sort of cocks up the trial doesn't it!

Ho humm.

[Nick]

Hmm, one doesn't quite know whether one should wish them many sucessful rescues or not! I'd like to hope no-one will need their services, but that sort of cocks up the trial doesn't it!

Ho humm.

I don't know exactly what has prompted it, but more yachts are visiting the Western Isles, and perhaps more are transiting the Sound of Harris (formerly a bit of a bete noir) with the almost universal adoption of plotters.

I like the idea in principle, but I don't want it to make a very challenging cruising area appear 'safer'

[Arghiro]

I see where you are coming from, but it's all a bit "chicken & egg" isn't it? It's the increase in leisure boaters that seems to be leading to a perception of an increase in incidents & a lifeboat trial. Now you are suggesting that people who might not have rounded Ardnamurchan may be inclined to challenge the Minch "now there is a lifeboat in ase it all goes wrong". I'm not sure it follows tho, I suspect that the sort of people who expect to be "saved" by the RNLI, probably don't check the pilot books, never mind the lifeboat locations!

I shall wait & see what happens. I'm unlikely to spend a week or two sailing up there to visit in my own boat!