Donate now

RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat launches to assist yacht thought to be taking in water.

Lifeboats News Release

Lerwick Lifeboat crew launched this evening to assist a 12-metre yacht, whose skipper had contacted the coastguard to report water below deck.

RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat brings the 12-metre yacht into the Albert Dock in Lerwick Harbour.

RNLI Lerwick

RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat brings the 12-metre yacht into the Albert Dock in Lerwick Harbour.
The German-registered vessel with one person on board left Lerwick earlier today heading south but ran into difficulties near Helli Ness, by Cunningsburgh. The skipper reported that the vessel was taking in water below deck and was unsure if the hull had been damaged.

At the request of HM Coastguard, Lerwick lifeboat launched just before 6pm and made good speed to reach the vessel around 20 minutes later, about one nautical mile east of Helli Ness. A member of the lifeboat crew was transferred aboard the yacht and on inspection, it seemed that the problem might be related to the engine’s cooling system, rather than any obvious damage to the hull.

A decision was made to take the vessel under tow and the lifeboat and yacht made steady progress northwards to Lerwick at around seven to eight knots, reaching Lerwick Harbour just before 7.30pm. After bringing the vessel safely alongside a pontoon in the Albert Dock, the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service again.

Sea conditions were smooth, with light westerly winds Force 3-4, and an air temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius.

Tommy Goudie, Deputy Coxswain said: “The skipper did the right thing by contacting the coastguard when he realised he needed assistance. With water accumulating below deck and no means of propulsion, the vessel could have drifted for some time. Our crew were pleased to be able to assist and to bring the yacht back to the safey of Lerwick harbour for repairs.”

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, Twitter 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.

Categories