RNLI Longhope lifeboat rescues local creel boat

RNLI Longhope lifeboat was launched on service today at 10.33am. It was requested by UK Coastguards to attend a vessel in distress in Mill Bay, just north of Lyness.

A local 23ft creel boat Sarah with one occupant aboard, had a fouled propeller from a mooring line and was stuck fast.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 10.47am and proceeded to free the vessel. This proved to be a quite a task with the rising tide causing the rope to become extremely tight. It was decided to launch the Y boat from the lifeboat so two crew members had easier access to the propeller. However it was necessary for one crew member to enter the water in order to cut the the rope. Thankfully conditions were good and visibility clear.

Once the mooring line was cut the lifeboat established a tow and the vessel was brought safely home to Longhope. They arrived back at station at 12.25pm and the lifeboat was made ready again for service.

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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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