RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat to rescue of yacht entangled in fishing gear off N Ronald
Yacht safely escorted in to Westray after she was caught up in fishing gear in the strong tides off the north of Orkney.
Shetland Coastguards (SCG) paged Request Launch at 12:39 hrs and duty LA Ernie Moodie called for more information. He was informed that a 36 foot sailing yacht with 2 persons on board had become entangled in creel ropes in a strong tidal stream and had put out a distress call to the Coastguards.
Launch ALB was paged at 12:41 hrs and the crew mustered at the station for briefing. Coxswain Dougie Bain and 6 more volunteer crew departed on Kirkwall Lifeboat (1713) at 12:55 hrs and proceeded to toward the casualty which was reported in a position to the north of the island of North Ronaldsay. The estimated time to reach the casualty was 2 hours.
1713 arrived on scene at 14:35 hrs to find that the vessel had got free of the fishing ropes but now had problems transmitting on her VHF.
The casualty was escorted to the safety of Pierowall harbour in Westray by 18:00. Now that the yacht was safely in harbour the lifeboat was released to return to Kirkwall.
1713 returned to station where she was secured on her berth by 19:55 hrs and was refuelled, ready for service again by 20:10 hrs.
This is the 14th service for Kirkwall lifeboat this year.
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.