RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat tows in workboat with gearbox problems

The workboat, with two crew on board, was around one nautical mile north-west of the Green Holm, a rocky islet used as a navigation aid and which marks the northernmost limit of Lerwick Harbour. The crew had contacted HM Coastguard to report gearbox problems.

Lerwick Lifeboat crew were paged at 6.00pm and soon launched, setting off north through Lerwick harbour, and reaching the vessel within 30 minutes.

After assessing the situation, the Coxswain decided that a tow was necessary and lifeboat crew quickly established a tow line, taking the vessel at a steady five to six knots to Lerwick harbour. The workboat was brought alongside a safe berth in the Morrison Dock by 7.30pm.

Winds were easterly and onshore throughout, a steady Force 3-4, with an air temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.

The lifeboat then returned to the Small Boat Harbour to swap crew for a planned training exercise with a local fishing vessel at Mair’s Pier, to practice casualty care and extraction using a stretcher. After the exercise, the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Our volunteer crew are always on call to respond to a request to launch. We were able to reach this workboat quickly this evening, taking her under tow and to a safe berth almost within the hour, and fortunately in good time to complete our crew training session too.”

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Bob Kerr, Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Lerwick [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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