RNLI Stromness Lifeboat assists two people stranded on tidal island
The crew of the lifeboat were paged at 9.35am to go to the Brough of Birsay to collect two people stranded by a rising tide, one of whom was blind.
The lifeboat arrived at the Brough at 10.25am.
The seas from the SW were breaking heavily on the SW shore so the lifeboat approached the Brough from the North.
The conditions were evaluated and after discussion with the coastguard they were considered too dangerous for the small Y boat to bring the two people back who were in no immediate danger.
Instead two crew went through breaking surf over rocks in the Y boat to the shore and spoke with the people who were happy to remain on the Brough and wait for low water. The crew left food and water with them and returned in the Y boat to the lifeboat.
The crew headed for home at 11.10am into a lumpy SW swell at reduced speed.
The lifeboat returned to Stromness Harbour at 12.10pm and was then refuelled.
A big thanks to the folk ashore who covered for the volunteer crew members today in their 'day jobs', allowing them to man the lifeboat.
RNLI Media Contacts: David Bowdler, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Stromness, 07871 583011.
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