Dunbar Lifeboat Assists Tail-tied Fishing Boat
Dunbar’s RNLI lifeboat volunteers were called out to assist a fishing boat in trouble on Monday afternoon (March 16)
UK Coastguard tasked the crew at 3.50pm after the Dunbar-registered Spitfire became tail-tied - when the propeller gets entangled in its own net - 2.3 miles northeast of the Bass Rock.
The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched from Dunbar Harbour and was on scene 30 minutes later. A tow was set up and the two vessels made their way back to Dunbar. As they approached the harbour, the volunteer crew adjusted the tow to bring the Spitfire alongside, then manoeuvred the fishing boat to a safe berth in the harbour.
The coastguard stood down the crew at 4.45pm.
A spokesman for Dunbar RNLI said: "It’s fairly common for some boats to become tail tied and we encourage anyone in that situation to call the Coastguard for assistance. The sea conditions today were favourable but a boat that has lost its ability to steer can quickly drift into danger.”
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.