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Broken down creel boat towed to safety

Lifeboats News Release

Aith's RNLI lifeboat was called out on Friday morning to assist a small local fishing vessel to safety.

RNLI

A small creel bowed is towed back to harbour
The 8-metre vessel - working in Papa Sound - suffered engine failure at around 9.40am.

The volunteer crew of Aith's Severn class lifeboat Charles Lidbury were called on to respond, and arrived on the scene - between the village of Sandness and the nearby isle of Papa Stour, off Shetland's west side - by 10.26am.

With no other vessels operating in the area, it was decided to begin towing the single-crew creel boat back to the safety of the nearby port of West Burrafirth. The towing operation - completed safely in mild but misty conditions - saw the stricken fishing vessel back into harbour by 12.20pm, with the lifeboat then returning to station in Aith by 12.55pm.

Aith Lifeboat coxswain John Robertson said:

"The skipper of this peerie fishing vessel did absolutely the right thing in calling for help, and the highly-skilled RNLI volunteers who help crew the Aith Lifeboat once again responded professionally - doing a fantastic job."

RNLI

Aith's Severn class lifeboat heads to the rescue in mild but misty conditions

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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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.