Largs Troon and Girvan lifeboats tasked to assist drifting drill ship

On the evening of Tuesday 2nd. of January at 7.22pm. Largs and Troon lifeboats were tasked to the assistance of one of two 60,000 ton drill ships which were moored alongside at Hunterston Terminal when in strong Easterly winds gusting to 60 knots. one of the two ships 223 meter long ships broke free of her shore side moorings and was blown into the Hunterston channel.
A Coastguard helicopter and shore rescue teams from Ayr, Greenock, Ardrossan along with Police were also involved in the incident as Tugs from Greenock arrived on scene.
Fortunately the drifting vessel's anchor which had been dropped took hold and held the ship in a position some 150 meters offshore.
Meantime two tugs were engaged alongside the remaining ship pushing her against the quayside and the strong East wind in an effort to prevent her from also breaking away.
As lifeboat crews stood by the Largs Atlantic 85 and her wet & weary crew who had been on scene in challenging conditions for two hours returned to station for a change of crew and were stood down at 11.00pm.
Later, Troon Lifeboat was relieved by the Girvan lifeboat.
The anchored ship and the alongside vessel were still in position at daylight, Port Managers were understood to be making plans to return the anchored vessel to its berth alongside as soon as prevailing conditions allowed.

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