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RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat launches to aid yacht with rudder problems

Lifeboats News Release

Lerwick Lifeboat crew launched this evening to assist a 10-metre yacht, which encountered steering difficulties north-east of the island of Mousa.

RNLI Lerwick

RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat took the 10-metre yacht under tow and into Lerwick Harbour.
The Norwegian-registered vessel with four adults on board left Fair Isle earlier in the day but ran into difficulties east of Mousa after the rudder worked loose, leaving the yacht without any steering.

At the request of HM Coastguard, Lerwick lifeboat launched just after 6pm, reaching the stricken yacht just 30 minutes later, about two nautical miles from Mousa.

A decision was made to take the vessel under tow and the lifeboat and yacht arrived in Lerwick Harbour around 8.15pm, with the yacht brought safely alongside a pontoon in the Albert Dock.

Sea conditions were smooth, with light westerly winds Force 2-3, and an air temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Our crew were pleased to be able to assist this yacht to the safety of Lerwick Harbour. Although sea conditions were quite calm, it would have been a long and uncertain night ahead for this yacht’s crew, having lost their steering. We’re glad that their boat is now tied up safely in Lerwick where they can carry out 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.

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