Thurso RNLI lifeboat in 80 mile round trip to free yacht caught in ropes
Thurso lifeboat was launched at 5.05pm on Thursday 15 August in response to reports from the UK Coastguard that a 15 metre yacht was in difficulty in Loch Eriboll.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 6.55pm the stations Y boat was launched with three volunteer crew members in dry suits. The three took turns to go in the water and cut the ropes from the propeller using hacksaws.
They were in the water for one-and-a-half hours before the yacht was freed.
It is believed the ropes were part of a disused mussel bed.
The Taylors returned to Scrabster at 10.25pm and was refuelled and ready for service by 10.55pm.
Thurso RNLI Coxswain Dougie Munro said: ‘Ropes floating on or just under the surface of the water can be a big hazard and sea users should always be on the lookout for them. The two crew from the yacht were delighted that we could free them'.
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