First shout for two new Wick RNLI volunteers as crew assist fouled yacht

Wick RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Roy Barker II launched at 9.25am following a request from HM Coastguard after a 47ft sailing yacht, with two people on board, issued a Pan Pan approximately 11 nautical miles south west of Wick.

The volunteer crew arrived on scene at 10am to find the yacht fouled on a creel line, leaving it unable to manoeuvre. Working with the yacht's crew, the volunteers freed the vessel from the seabed before sailing under its own mainsail towards Wick, escorted by the RNLI lifeboat.

On the approach to Wick Harbour, with the condition of the propeller still unknown, the yacht was brought safely alongside the lifeboat for the final manoeuvre into Wick Marina, where it arrived safely at 1.15pm.

Wick RNLI Volunteer Coxswain Ross Shields said: 'At this time of year there is plenty of fishing gear around our coast that can catch even experienced boaters out, and we're pleased we were able to help free the yacht and return its crew safely to Wick.

'This shout also gave two of our newest volunteer crew members the opportunity to put their training into practice on their very first call out, gaining valuable experience alongside the rest of the crew.

'If you get into difficulty at sea, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard. If you suspect you've become fouled on fishing gear, avoid putting anyone in the water and call for assistance as early as possible.'

The volunteer crew washed down and refuelled the lifeboat before making it ready for service again at 1.48pm.

Notes to editors

Photo caption: Two of Wick RNLI's newest volunteer crew members took part in their first shout as the station's all-weather lifeboat assisted a yacht fouled on fishing gear off the Caithness coast, seen arriving in to Wick Harbour. (Credit: Alan McGee Photography)

Wick RNLI’s all weather lifeboat arriving on scene. (Credit: Wick RNLI)

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Emily Smith, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Wick RNLI, [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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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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