Kirkwall RNLI have a long day with passage and service

Kirkwall's all-weather lifeboat launched shortly after 11pm last night Tuesday ( 3 August ) to go the aid of a yacht which was fouled up in floating rope debris disabling it's propulsion and steering, with the light to variable winds the yacht had become becalmed in a position 15 miles NE of Westray.

The lifeboat arrived onscene at the casualty position around 0040 and after assessing the situation a tow line was rigged and agreement was made to tow the casualty yacht to a safe berth at Pierowall, Westray.

Both the lifeboat and yacht made good speed in the calm conditions and arrived alongside Pierowall Harbour around 0310 where they were met by the local Coastguard Rescue Team who helped secure the yacht alongside, the lifeboat slipped the tow and departed for home at 0320.

The lifeboat arrived back in Kirkwall at 0420 and was refuelled and made ready for service again by 0450, this had been a long day for the volunteer crew as they had just returned from a passage down to Inverness and back where some routine planned maintenance had been carried out to the lifeboat.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.