THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution yesterday revealed it was willing to discuss setting up a rescue service for Scotland's longest freshwater loch following the deaths of four friends in a boating accident.
As the search continued yesterday for the bodies of two of the party lost on Loch Awe at the weekend, the charity said it would be prepared to take part in discussions over whether a rescue boat should be stationed on or near the body of water.
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lliam Carty, 47, and Craig Currie, 30, were found dead in the Argyll loch on Saturday morning. Mr Carty's brother Steven, 42, and Thomas Douglas, 36, are missing, presumed dead.
The tragedy has led to criticism over the level of rescue cover for Loch Awe, amid claims a boat was removed from Oban fire station – about half an hour's drive away – last year.
A rescue boat had to be driven 70 miles from Renfrew before efforts could be made to find the four friends, whose boat appeared to have sunk following a night-time trip from their campsite to a pub on the other side of the loch.
It has also raised questions over the adequacy of the rescue service for some of Scotland's most popular lochs.
In the cold, foggy conditions, the men perished as volunteer coastguards stood unable to help on the banks of the loch.
The RNLI has 53 lifeboats in Scotland, paid for by public donations. All are stationed around the coast and in estuaries, except for one lifeboat on Loch Ness.
In 2007, the organisation raised £158 million while its operating costs were £124 million.
Rachel Martin, a spokeswoman for the RNLI, said: "We would be happy to be involved in an assessment of Loch Awe with other emergency agencies. It's too early to decide whether there should be a boat stationed on lochs. There are so many factors which need to be considered."
One of those is whether another agency, such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, would be better placed to provide that cover.
A spokesman for the fire brigade said it was under "no statutory obligation" to perform water rescues.
He added that a review of water rescue, which will include a look at service provision at Oban, was under way, with the result expected this summer.
Peter Dymond, coastguard rescue service project manager, said the MCA would also be willing to discuss extending its service to cover Loch Awe.
The MCA is legally responsible for providing rescue services on Britain's coast. Inland, the duty rests with the police.
"The lead would have to come from the police. If such a review was carried out, I'm sure we would be pleased to participate," Mr Dymond said.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said a report on the Loch Awe incident would be sent to the procurator-fiscal.
She added: "At the end of this process, or any fatal accident inquiry, the findings will be reviewed and any recommendations addressed."
