Volunteers Save 15 People in 7-Hour Loch Lomond Rescue

After finishing their morning training exercise, the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat volunteers had no idea they were about to spend their entire Sunday saving lives.

The volunteer crew's marathon began at 2:13 PM when Police Scotland called for help with a 25-foot vessel carrying nine people. The boat's engine had failed, leaving it drifting dangerously near Torrinch.

Before they could even launch, a second call came in. Two people on a jet ski were stranded near Loch Lomond Golf Club with a dead battery.

The volunteers prioritized the larger vessel first, securing it with a tow line and bringing all nine passengers safely back to Aldochlay. They then worked with national park rangers to recover the jet ski, towing it back to the Duncan Mills slipway in Balloch.

At 4:10 PM, the radios crackled again. Another jet ski, this time carrying an adult and a child, was taking on water through a damaged hull.

The situation was too dangerous to tow. Volunteers brought the child safely aboard their rescue boat and carefully escorted the damaged craft to Cashel Campsite before ensuring both riders made it home to Balloch.

Around 6 PM, the crew received their fourth call about a broken-down vessel near Port Nellan. They were stood down when the boater reached nearby moorings safely, but their relief lasted just eight minutes.

A sailboat was drifting toward rocks in Millarochy Bay, pushed by strong westerly winds. Working alongside national park rangers, the team secured the sailboat and towed it back to its mooring before disaster struck.

On their return journey, something caught their eye. A speedboat was moving across the water using only a single paddle.

The Ripple Effect

The volunteers investigated and discovered the boat had broken down. They towed it to the Moss of Balloch slipway, completing their sixth rescue of the day after more than seven hours on the water.

These weren't professional emergency responders pulling double shifts. They were volunteers who chose to spend their Sunday protecting others, responding again and again without hesitation.

Their dedication ensures that families can safely enjoy one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs. Following the busy day, the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat team issued safety reminders for anyone planning time on the water, hoping to prevent future emergencies.

Fifteen people went home safe that Sunday because volunteers were ready when it mattered most.

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