New look to loch rescue coverage

An Altantic 75 inshore lifeboat will be tested on the loch

A lifeboat station is set to be opened on the shores of Loch Ness under plans being drawn up by emergency services.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has been preparing to hand over rescue cover on the loch to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Under proposals Coastguard volunteers, who launch from Drumnadrochit, would transfer to the RNLI

The switch has been driven by a rise in boat traffic and the MCA said the RNLI was "better placed" for the role.

Coastguard chiefs approached the RNLI in late 2006 with the proposal that the charity, which operates 52 lifeboats in Scotland, assume responsibility for the rescue boat on Loch Ness.

The RNLI already operates four lifeboats on inland waters in the UK and Ireland.

LOCH NESS RESCUES The Drumnadrochit-based rescue boat is called out to up to 24 incidents per year The current craft has been involved in 186 search and rescue incidents since it was established by the MCA in 1995 The Coastguard will continue to co-ordinate search and rescues

Nick Bryant, coastguard area operations manager for East Scotland, said the switch would follow an evaluation period - which involves trials of a different craft on the loch than the one used by the MCA.

He said: "We believe this is a sensible move and I would like to place on record our thanks to all those coastguard volunteers who have given up their time to crew the rescue boat in the last 10 years and provided an excellent service."

John Caldwell, divisional inspector for the RNLI in Scotland, said an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat from the institution's relief fleet would be tested on the loch before it was recommended that a station be established.

He said: "We believe a strong operational case exists for a lifeboat on Loch Ness, which is the largest body of fresh water in Britain.

"We very much look forward to working with the dedicated members of the current volunteer coastguard crew, who we hope will choose to transfer to the RNLI to ensure the continuity of the search and rescue service on Loch Ness all year round."