
RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat launched to aid scallop boat taking in water in Yell Sound
At the request of the UK Coastguard, Lerwick lifeboat launched at 10.30pm last night to a report of a local 10-metre scallop boat that had run aground on the island of Samphrey in Yell Sound.
The vessel with two crew on board had struck the south end of the island and they had reported that the boat was taking on water. Shetland Islands Council ferry MV Dagalien had responded by diverting from its usual crossing to assist, using its rescue boat to take the two crew off their stricken vessel.
Neither of the crew members needed any medical assistance and they were soon landed at Toft ferry terminal.
Weather conditions were good, with an air temperature of around six degrees Celsius and light southerly winds, force one to two. Lerwick Lifeboat made good speed to reach the scene at around 11.40pm, where a local salmon workboat Charlie Knight had also arrived to assist.
The lifeboat crew carried out a survey of the immediate area but with the grounded vessel stuck fast on rocks, and two crew safely recovered from their boat, there was little more that could be done. The lifeboat was stood down just after midnight and returned to Lerwick, arriving back in harbour at 1.30am to refuel and make ready for next service.
John Robertson, Coxswain at RNLI Aith Lifeboat, who was providing coxswain cover for Lerwick over the weekend, said: “We’re pleased that there was no loss of life on this occasion and offer our thanks to the crew of the Dagalien for their prompt action to recover the two crew on this vessel, and for the assistance of the crew of the Charlie Knight.”
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