Small Fire Leads to Aith Lifeboat Escort
The Aith Lifeboat was called out at 1100 hours on Wednesday 4 November 2020 after reports of a fire onboard a small workboat operating to the south of Vementry Isle
The Aith lifeboat, RNLI Charles Lidbury, arrived on the scene at 1150 hours, by which time the flames had been extinguished. However, the workboat vessel required a tow to safety and was assisted by the lifeboat to the nearby pier at Brindister, close to West Burrafirth.
Neither of the two crew members onboard Pegasus at the time were injured in the incident.
The lifeboat team were able to make use of new RNLI towing procedures and equipment, which make tow ropes stronger and less likely to break and cause accidents. Trialled at other stations around the UK over the last 18 months, the new towing protocols and ropes are now being rolled out nationwide.
Coincidentally, the volunteer crew members in Aith received training in the new RNLI procedures only the night before, and were able to put it to good use the very next day when towing the Pegasus to safety.
Emergency service colleagues from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, plus the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, were on hand upon arrival at Brindister to help secure the vessel and make sure that it was safe - with no chance of reignition.
The lifeboat crew were then stood down, and the RNLI Charles Lidbury had returned to its station in Aith by 1245 hours.
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.