05/08/2025
Well Done to our 2x Cadets, Scott & Ewan pictured who were part of the crew on board the Camilla Eslea.
Such an incident reminds us of how quickly a situation can become dangerous and we are proud of our Cadets and the crew who assisted in the rescue!
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬 – Shout out to our teams for their quick response during storm Floris at Loch Leven | Yesterday, during the severe weather brought by Storm , Camilla Eslea, a vessel owned by Inverlussa Marine Services, and operating under contract with Mowi, had completed operations at Mowi’s Loch Leven site and was standing by as conditions deteriorated. By late morning, wind gusts had reached up to 64 knots, prompting the decision to move off the farm for safety.
While slow steaming within Loch Leven, the crew encountered gusts as high as 80 knots (92 mph). Just before midday, near Saint John’s Church (approximately one mile east of Ballachulish Bridge), a kayaker was spotted entering the water despite the extreme conditions.
Within moments, the kayak overturned, and the individual was seen holding onto it while being blown further into the loch. The crew raised the alarm and quickly mustered for a Man Overboard response.
The Camilla Eslea was brought into position, and within a few minutes, the team safely recovered the individual and his kayak. Although his paddle was lost, he was otherwise unharmed. He was brought aboard, given dry clothing, warm drinks, and food, and was closely monitored.
The kayaker, a 24-year-old French national, was not wearing a lifejacket or appropriate cold-water gear such as a wetsuit or drysuit. It was a concerning reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can become dangerous without proper preparation.
Due to the ongoing high winds, it was not immediately safe to return him to shore. He remained onboard until conditions eased, and around 14:30, staff from Mowi’s Loch Leven site collected him and brought him ashore. The Coastguard was kept informed throughout.
Thanks to the Skipper Ali and the crew’s calm and professional response, the individual was recovered safely. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and readiness, especially in unpredictable weather conditions.