Kirkwall RNLI tasked to assist local charter vessel

The all-weather RNLI lifeboat MARGARET FOSTER was already at sea early on Saturday morning when the volunteer crew were requested to assist a local charter vessel which had lost power with two crew and one passenger onboard.

RNLB Margaret Foster, with Coxswain Stewart Ryrie and six volunteer crew onboard, headed for a position West of the Galt Point, Shapinsay. Arriving seven minutes after the tasking came in, they found the vessels crew had deployed their anchor.

Ten minutes after arriving on scene and with a tow attached the lifeboat headed for Kirkwall in freshening weather, both vessels arrived safely at Kirkwall marina forty minutes later where the casualty was secured safely alongside and the crew discovered she had been fouled up in some old rope which had made the vessel loose power.

The lifeboat was back alongside her berth refuelled and ready for service again at 0945.

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