RNLI Aith lifeboat launched to guide powerless vessel to safety
The all-weather lifeboat Charles Lidbury was launched on Tuesday 14 March at 8.29pm, following reports that the crab fishing vessel Edward Henry had been hit by a wave, and had suffered damage to the wheelhouse and a loss of power.
The RNLI Aith lifeboat progressed to a position approximately 40 miles west of Sumburgh, at a rate of around 10 knots, as there were heavy seas, winds gusting at force nine, and waves in excess of 10 metres.
RNLI Mechanic John Robertson said that although the weather conditions were some of the worst he had encountered during his time as a volunteer crew member, he had felt confident that the crew were well trained to deal with this type of situation.
RNLI Charles Lidbury arrived at the scene at 12.45am, to find the 25 metre Edward Henry with three broken windows in the wheelhouse, and a broken electronic navigation system. However, the crew of the vessel had managed to re-start the engines.
As the vessel had no working navigation system, the lifeboat guided it, with nine crew members aboard, back to Scalloway harbour, arriving there at 7.15am on 15 March.
The skipper of the Edward Henry had suffered a minor injury, and all crew were handed over to paramedics upon arrival at Scalloway.
Following this, the RNLI Charles Lidbury returned to the station at 11am.
RNLI media contacts: Liz Boxwell, RNLI Aith volunteer lifeboat press officer, 07789 728874, [email protected]
Or Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]
Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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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.
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