Kyle RNLI called to cargo ship that ran aground and was adrift under Skye Bridge

Kyle lifeboat crew were paged at 3:24pm yesterday (19 November), when the UK Coastguard declared a ‘Pan Pan’ situation after receiving multiple reports that the Cargo Vessel had ran aground under the Skye Bridge before floating free and drifting broadside across the shipping lane towards the bridge and nearby rocks. The Coastguard were trying to contact the stricken vessel via VHF radio but were receiving no response, and due to the size of the vessel had launched both Kyle and Portree lifeboats.

Kyle lifeboat arrived on scene within 2 minutes of launching and found the vessel broadside under the bridge drifting towards the rocks. The lifeboat crew tried to make contact with the crew on board the ship but could not get a response, however luckily the cargo vessel managed to restore propulsion and make its way towards the nearby pier at the Kyleakin Fish plant. Kyle lifeboat shadowed the vessel into the pier to ensure it made it safely, and once it was alongside and secured, Portree lifeboat, which was making best speed towards the area, was stood down.

The UK Coastguard requested that Kyle lifeboat stayed on scene until local Coastguard units arrived at the location. The lifeboat stayed on scene until shortly after 6:30pm, when the lifeboat was stood down and could return to station.

Speaking of the incident, a Kyle spokesperson said ‘When we arrived on scene the situation was serious, the vessel was no longer aground, but was floating broadside across the shipping channel and was drifting dangerously close to the bridge and nearby rocks. The vessel’s crew were not answering VHF radio calls and were not responding to the lifeboat crews attempts to make contact with them, but luckily the vessel managed to restore propulsion and made her own way the short distance to the MOWI pier in Kyleakin’.

Notes to editors

· This is the 20^th callout this year for Kyle’s volunteer crew

· Please credit the pictures to Kyle RNLI

· For further information on the casualty vessel, please contact the UK Coastguard

RNLI media contacts

Andrew MacDonald, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07748 707606 or [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), 07920365929 or [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), 07826 900639 or [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.