In a February blizzard, four sick people needed to be evacuated from the Isle of Mull.

The local ferry was unable to dock in the conditions, which were also too much for the air ambulance. Oban all-weather lifeboat was the only option. Coxswain Ronnie McKillop said berthing conditions were the worst he’d ever experienced – he opted to use the old pier because it would be more sheltered but knew it would be shallow.

The tide was falling rapidly and the ambulance arrived just in time to get the patients onboard for a difficult journey back to Oban, from where the four were transferred to hospital.