Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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Loch Ryan boater 'lucky to be alive'
At quarter to three this afternoon Clyde Coastguard received a report via Liverpool Coastguard that a motorist had sighted a man in difficulties in Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway.
The man, in his 70's, had reportedly gone out into the loch in a 12 foot motor boat along with a toy inflatable that he then tried to climb into, which then capsized. When he then tried to pull himself back into the motor boat he suffered a head injury. A passing motorist spotted him getting into difficulty and called 999.
Clyde Coastguard tasked Stranraer Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and requested the launch of Stranraer RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and Royal Navy helicopter Rescue 177 which was on exercise nearby.
Clyde Coastguard also liaised with local ferry companies Stena and P&O Ferries who operate in the area to ask them to proceed with caution and keep a sharp lookout as the casualty had placed himself directly in their path. P&O launched their fast rescue craft to assist in the rescue.
At three o' clock the inshore lifeboat arrived alongside the casualty who had since climbed into his motorboat but was unable to row back to shore due to his head injury and cold shock from being submerged in the Loch. The lifeboat then towed the motor boat to shore where the man was placed in a waiting ambulance and taken on to hospital.
Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager Peter Stewart said:
"This man went out in an old boat with paddles made from five gallon oil drums to attempt to test out a children's inflatable with no lifejacket, no equipment and in a dangerous Loch which also happens to be a busy commercial port and ferry path.
It is entirely possible that, if it were not for the informant who saw the man in difficulty on the water that today could have ended in tragedy- be it through the man's head injury, the onset of hypothermia or a collision with any one of the commercial or passenger vessels that operate in the area.
We do not want to discourage people from enjoying the spate of good weather we have seen recently, but if you are enjoying a day on the water you must always remember to use the appropriate equipment and always wear a lifejacket."
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