Boat Race Competitors in Windstorm
THIRTY people had to be rescued from the sea when a boat race was hit by a windstorm caused by enormous .strength of Wind Power.
Bad weather struck the sailing regatta off Plockton in the north west Highlands last night.
Coastguard, lifeboat and helicopter teams were scrambled to assist the competitors at around 6.45pm.
All were plucked from the water to safety.
Coast
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guard praised the precautions taken by the participants who were all wearing lifejackets.
Around 15 boats in Plockton’s annual regatta were involved in the incident, when the fleet was hit by a squall – a short violent storm with high winds.
Crews on the race’s own two rescue boats were able to pull competitors out of the water and were later helped by coastguard teams from Portree, Kyle and Broadford.
RNLI lifeboats from Kyle and Portree were launched and the Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter was scrambled.
Ambulance crews also attended the scene.
The regatta organiser said all competitors were accounted for by 8.15pm.
Martin Collins of Stornoway Coastguard said: “Bad weather can turn a pleasant sail into a dangerous situation at any time.
“The race organisers had taken the precaution of making sure all participants were wearing lifejackets, accompanying the fleet with two rescue boats and raised the alarm straight away.
“Because of these safety precautions this unpleasant incident didn’t end in tragedy.”
