Eyemouth volunteers tow stricken trawler to safety
Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat and its volunteer crew were returning from a routine exercise on Tuesday 9 August 2016 when they were diverted to a stricken trawler.
It had lost all steering and was in danger of being swept onto the nearby beach by the two metre swell.
The 10 metre trawler and its two crew, Our Catherine, had just left Eyemouth, shortly before 8pm, and were making for the fishing grounds when its steering gear failed just after it left port. Unable to steer or return to the safety of harbour and with a two metre northerly swell running, the trawler was in danger of being swept onto the nearby beach.
Eyemouth lifeboat was returning from its routine exercise and was on scene within minutes of the call for assistance being made. As time was critical, a towline was passed to the Our Catherine where it was towed out to safer water so that the tow could be reset with a towing bridle.
Once set up, the lifeboat towed the Our Catherine back to Eyemouth harbour, assisted by Eyemouth inshore lifeboat, which also diverted from its exercise. Despite the challenging swell and surge, Eyemouth lifeboat was able to tow the trawler back to port and placed it safely alongside the harbour wall.
Once no further assistance was required, both lifeboats were stood down and made ready for service again around 8:30pm.
RNLI media contacts:
For more information please email Eyemouth lifeboat press officer, Adam Ferguson, [email protected] or Richard Smith, Media Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336 789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.