Kirkwall RNLI in seven hour tow of fishing vessel 26 miles South East of Orkney
Kirkwall's volunteer crew launched at the request of the UK Coastguard after a fishing vessel reported issues and was drifting in the Pentland Firth.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.35pm and the volunteer crew attached a tow rope to begin the long passage back to Kirkwall in blustery conditions with winds reaching near gale force at times.
After a seven and a half hour tow back to the sanctuary of Kirkwall harbour, both the lifeboat and the fishing vessel berthed safely just before midnight.
The lifeboat was refuelled and was made ready for service again by 1.00am.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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