Peterhead Lifeboat launched to the assistance of a stricken fishing vessel
Peterhead RNLI were tasked by the Coastguard to assess and assist a fishing vessel with a failed rudder some 3.4 NM East of Rattray Head on Friday, 23 April 2021 after the vessel issued a pan pan call.
The RNLI Peterhead volunteers’ pagers sounded at 11:08 pm with the crew assembling at the station prior to launch.
The Misses Robertson of Kintail and volunteer crew soon departed and made way to the vessels location, which with the tide had already drifted 0.5 NM south from the initial position received.
It was decided by Coswain David Weir that given the vessel’s failed rudder, the fact she was already drifting and the lateness of the hour that the lifeboat was the most appropriate vessel to assist her back to the nearest port in order to ensure the safety of all aboard. With RNLI crew safely undertaking the tow, both vessels reached port at 1:35 am. The tow was then transferred to a port vessel to bring the fishing vessel alongside the harbour walls.
Coxswain David Weir said: “I thank the crew for the speed in which they responded to their pagers as well as their high levels of professionalism. Bringing everyone home safe and back to port is always the outcome we want. Thanks as well to our colleagues in Peterhead Harbour for their assistance”.
Once back in port, the volunteers cleaned the lifeboat before heading home for some well earned rest and a later than planned start to their weekend.
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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