RNLI Longhope Lifeboat tasked for night rescue
Dive vessel suffers engine failure in Pentland Firth and requires a tow.
Longhope lifeboat was requested to launch tonight 6 March 2017 by UK Coastguard. The volunteer crew were alerted at 19.03 and the lifeboat was underway by 19.20.
MV Karin, a 23m dive vessel with 3 crew on board, suffered engine failure in the Pentland Firth and was drifting east of Stroma. A nearby fishing boat the Vest Viking altered course and was standing by. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 19.44 and established a tow.
Sea conditions were moderate as they made their way back to Orkney. During the tow the crew of MV Karin managed to restart the engines and proceed independently. The tow was released and the lifeboat escorted the boat back to the more sheltered waters of Scapa Flow.
Deputy Coxswain Angus Budge said: 'We were very pleased to be able to assist a local boat. It all went smoothly and we are proud to have Callum Heddle, one of our newest volunteer crewmembers, aboard on his first shout.'
MV Karin continued to Stromness and the lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 22.25.
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