Broadford teenager Archie Law hailed for swift actions saving two men on inflatable in Skye sea drama

Skye teenager has been praised for his swift actions after rescuing two men from the water when they were unable to climb back onto their inflatable.

Archie Law sprang into action on Saturday evening after spotting the pair in difficulty off the coast near his home at Waterloo, near Broadford.

The school pupil had been looking out across the sea, as he often does, when he realised the situation unfolding in front of him was serious.

Teenager spotted the men in difficulty off coast of Skye

The two men had ended up in the water without lifejackets and were unable to get back onto their inflatable craft.

Recognising the danger, Archie, 15, immediately abandoned what he was doing and launched his boat to go to their aid.

He said: “I just saw two people in a dinghy going in circles in front of my house. It was pretty windy and I thought they might need a touch.”

As he headed out, the teenager realised conditions were far worse than they appeared from the shore.

He said: “That’s what fooled them. They thought it was calm but as you get further out it’s an offshore breeze. It just comes off the hills and hits the sea and it picks up a lot.”

When he reached the pair, Archie was shocked by what he found.

He said: “They were wearing nothing: no phone, no lifejackets, just jumpers and T-shirts. Totally not stuff you’d wear if you’re going out on a boat.

“The first thing I said was: ‘You guys are too lucky.’ I just kept telling them how lucky they were that I was actually there.

“I think they were very unaware of how big the situation was that they were in.”

He added: “A year ago I wouldn’t have been able to start a boat engine and now I was able to save people’s lives and get them back to their families.”I was really happy that I got them back and I’m happy with myself because I never thought I could ever do something like that.”

His mother, Tansy Grigor-Taylor, said he had seen the men struggling and knew they needed help.

She said: “We could see they were trying to paddle but they were going round and round and getting blown out.

Skye boy hailed for bravery after sea rescue near family home

“He just said we should go, and he was off like a shot.”

Reaching the casualties, Archie managed to get both men out of the water and safely aboard his boat, a difficult task given they were soaked through.

He then checked they were safe and well before bringing them ashore.

The rescue has since been praised by local RNLI volunteers, who said the situation could have deteriorated rapidly had Archie not acted when he did.

A spokesperson said: “The situation last night was serious, with the two casualties in the water without lifejackets on and unable to get back onto their inflatable.

“Archie happened to see what had happened and immediately decided to drop what he was doing as he had to go and help.

“He went out in his boat, managed to get the two men out of the water and into the safety of his boat, which is no easy task when they are soaking wet.

“He then ensured that they were OK and took them ashore safely.”

RNLI volunteers say swift action may have prevented tragedy

The spokesperson added that the effects of cold water could quickly have become life-threatening.

“Without his swift and decisive actions, the situation could have become much worse extremely quickly as the effects of the cold water took effect on the casualties,” they said.

“We’d like to thank Archie for what he did in such a timely and safe manner. Once he’s old enough, we all think he has the attributes to make a fantastic volunteer for the RNLI. Well done, Archie.”

Archie, who is about to enter fifth year at school, has loved the sea from a young age and owns his own boat.

He also works on fishing boats at weekends and has completed sea-safety training.

His mother said she was proud of her son’s actions and pleased he was receiving recognition for helping others.

[Source: Press and Journal]