A SAILING couple who were rescued by Helensburgh’s lifeboat after their craft lost power and the cabin was filled with smoke have paid a heartfelt tribute to local RNLI volunteers.
Michael and Mandy Topping, from Larne in County Antrim, were sailing up Loch Long with their two dogs, Daisy and Islay, when the incident happened last week.
Michael was overcome by smoke after trying to investigate the source of the problem, leaving Mandy in sole charge of the couple’s Moody 34 yacht, Mojo.
But after Mandy radioed the coastguard to ask for help, a Ministry of Defence Police launch and the RNLI’s Helensburgh lifeboat both responded, with the lifeboat crew giving Michael oxygen to deal with the effects of smoke inhalation.
The couple, who had been touring the Argyll coast and had left Port Bannatyne on Bute that morning, were taken ashore at Arrochar for treatment after the incident on July 13, and after being checked over by an ambulance crew, Michael was able to get back on board.
The lifeboat towed the yacht to the Holy Loch Marina near Dunoon, where the coastguard was waiting to help – and where the Toppings are still waiting for a replacement part to be delivered from the USA so that Mojo can be repaired and the couple can return home.
Mandy, 52, said: “We were planning to head up the loch and spend the evening at Arrochar. There was virtually no wind so we were motoring along, but just at a point where the loch narrows we lost all engine power.
“We noticed smoke coming through the vents and realised the cabin below had become filled with smoke. Michael went down to check if there was a fire and to bring me the hand-held radio so I could contact the coastguard, but he had to go down there a couple of times, and he passed out because he’d inhaled so much smoke.
“The MoD patrol boat arrived after 20-25 minutes and the lifeboat shortly after.
“The lifeboat crew gave Michael oxygen and we were able to get alongside the old NATO pier, where he was taken ashore.
“An ambulance crew checked him over and he was able to get back on board, and a member of the RNLI crew came on board to help as we were towed to the marina.”
The couple later discovered that the yacht’s exhaust manifold had broken off, and that though there was plenty of smoke, the problem had not led to a fire.
“The crew was great and very reassuring, and we were very grateful for their help,” Mandy added.
“We know how important the RNLI is and we greatly appreciate their work, and they did an excellent job looking after us.”
Michael, 50, added: “A big thank you to everyone involved for their help and support. Four lives were saved, my wife and I and our two dogs, Daisy and Islay.
“We are planning a garden party later in the summer to raise funds for the RNLI as a way of saying thank you.
“New RNLI recruits for the day, Daisy and Islay had a great time with the crew. They are great swimmers – keeping them out of the sea is the problem.”
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