RNLI Longhope lifeboat retrieves liferaft.

Sunday 30 April 2017

An empty inflatable liferaft adrift in the Pentland Firth.

RNLI Longhope lifeboat locates lost liferaft adrift in the Pentland Firth — RNLI Longhope lifeboat locates lost liferaft

RNLI Longhope lifeboat crew were paged today at 12.30 and requested to launch by UK Coastguard. An inflatable liferaft with no persons onboard had been reported drifting in the Pentland Firth

The 25 man liferaft had been lost yesterday from the Papa Westray ferry Golden Mariana, as she returned from refit at Inverness. Once located, the crew members had a tricky job of securing the raft to the lifeboat. as there are no fittings with which to attach a rope. However with some ingenious rope work the crew managed to lasso the liferaft and wedge part of it onto the transom at the stern.

The seas were moderate with a cold, south easterly wind gusting 30knts. Progress back to Hoy was slow due to the strong tides and vulnerability of the liferaft but eventually the more sheltered waters of Aith Hope were reached. Once close inshore the liferaft was strategically released and the wind blew it ashore where the Hoy Coastguards were waiting to retrieve it.

An unusual call out but a great example of problem solving and teamwork from the volunteer crew members.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready again for service at 17.30.

Two crew members lasso liferaft to secure to lifeboat — Two man lasso

Volunteer Crew Member Kenny Budge adds another rope to liferaft — An extra rope for precaution

Volunteer Crew Members Kenny Budge and Colin Bates make some final adjustments to securing ropes — Modification of securing ropes

Lifeboat underway after liftraft finally secured and partially jammed into transom. — Liftraft finally secured and partially jammed into transom.

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RNLI Longhope lifeboat retrieves liferaft.

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