Loch Ness call out praised
Inverness Courier: 02/06/11
By Andy Dixon

A SAILOR has been praised for raising his concern about the safety of a canoeist on Loch Ness.

Steve Vogel, of Nothumberland, reported his fears that someone may have capsized after he spotted a group of three canoeists reduce to two at 5.45pm on Tuesday (31st May).

"I saw three canoes at first, but minutes later could only see two and realised that if one had capsized, they'd need help urgently," he said.

Loch Ness RNLI were sent to the scene about a mile north the life boat station near Drumnadrochit.

The canoeists were found ashore resting.

"Mr Vogel did exactly the right thing in alerting the Emergency Services to a scene that was causing him concern," said Howie Whyte, Loch Ness RNLI helmsman and Sea Safety Officer.

Coastguard officers directed the lifeboat to continue to search the shoreline towards Inverness but nothing else was found.

Additioal Info:

Loch Ness RNLI helmsman and Sea Safety Officer, Howie Whyte says: 'Mr Vogel did exactly the right thing in alerting the Emergency Services to a scene that was causing him concern."

Howie added 'It was encouraging to see that the canoeists were very well kitted out and all were wearing buoyancy aids, an essential piece of kit.'

Mr Vogel, of Rothbury, Northumberland, is a Retained Firefighter and Chartered Building Surveyor and is all too aware of the need to report situations that are causing concern.

Mr Vogel says:'At first I thought I was getting a glimpse of Nessie. I saw three canoes at first, but minutes later could only see two and realised that if one had capsized, they'd need help urgently.'

The RNLI crew gave the canoeists advice on a suitable landing area and a good place for pint. Mr Vogel and his partner were continuing on their sail through Loch Ness and the Great Glen, an area they have visited before.

Two members of the Fort Augustus Coastguard team were at the lifeboat station to assist in the search if required. The team members are a vital part of the Search and Rescue organisation locally and, along with the RNLI volunteers, act under direction of the MRCC in Aberdeen.

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