Eight people from Arran sailing in the Skipness area had a lucky escape on Tuesday when two of their crew had to be taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia after their dinghy capsized.
The 30ft white yacht Avanti Avanti lost power off Skipness Point with eight crew on board; four of these were transferred to a dinghy, as the yacht got closer to shore.
David Bridge, formerly of Knockenkelly now living in Skipness, saw the boat from his home.
‘At one point it looked as though they had lost control of the yacht and it was headed towards a reef but they seemed to regain control,’ he said.
A member of the public called 999 and Tarbert Coastguard, Tighnabruiach inshore RNLI lifeboat, and Royal Navy Helicopter 177 from HMS Gannet, Prestwick all scrambled to the scene; the police were also in attendance.
The coastguard also put a call to all shipping in the area to which four yachts responded offering their help.
By the time the emergency resources arrived the four people left in the dinghy, which by then had capsized, had made it to dry land.
All of the casualties were checked and two were taken to Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital suffering from hypothermia but the other two made the decision not to go.
The four others stayed onboard the yacht and sailed to Lochranza.
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