Thurso lifeboat launches to assist 89m cargo vessel aground in Pentland Firth

Thurso's volunteer crew on board The Taylors launched early this morning to assist a cargo vessel which had run aground on rocks at the Pentland Skerries, the east entrance to the Pentland Firth. The volunteer crew remained with the vessel to ensure her safety and the safety of her crew until around 2.00pm when they were relieved by their colleagues from Longhope Lifeboat Station aboard Helen Comrie.

It is expected that at high water, 4.00pm, an attempt will be made to tow the cargo vessel from its current position. It is hoped that the vessel will be safe enough to be escorted into Lyness, Hoy, by the Longhope lifeboat.

As this is an ongoing operation please contact the Coastguard for further updates.

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Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Henry Weaver, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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