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Longhope Lifeboat rescues 59 passengers and six dogs

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier this evening RNLI Longhope Lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard to attend the Pentalina ferry, a twin hull vessel with an overall length of 70 metres, which needed assistance just outside the port of St. Margaret’s Hope, Orkney.

RNLI/Mary Harris

Longhope Lifeboat heading to the scene
The lifeboat left Longhope pier at 7.45pm and was shortly alongside the ferry, which due to an unknown fault, had run aground. The volunteer crew quickly and calmly transferred all the 59 passengers including three children, one infant and half a dozen dogs, from the ferry to the lifeboat and then safely ashore. RNLI Stromness Lifeboat had also been launched and was in attendance. Thankfully no one was injured during the incident and the rescue went smoothly.

Visibility and sea conditions were good and the volunteer crew were led by our trainee Coxswain Scott Johnston under the supervision of Regional Resilience Coxswain Darren Harcus. Scott said on his return to station: ‘I am really proud of the crew for their rapid response and the care and professionalism they displayed during this rescue. The crew of the Pentalina also handled the situation extremely well.’

The lifeboat returned to station, refuelled and was ready again for service by 9.50pm.

RNLI/Longhope RNLI

The grounded ferry

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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