Donate now

Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat aids grounded fishing vessel.

Lifeboats News Release

At 0755 hours today, Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat launched following reports of a grounded fishing vessel, north of Stockinish on the east side of Harris.

Stornoway Lifeboat tow fishing vessel with Leverburgh Lifeboat to the stern of the casualty vessel.

RNLI/Kenny MacLeod

Leverburgh Lifeboat assist fishing vessel to safety

While Leverburgh’s volunteer crew were making their way to the scene, the crew of the 17m casualty vessel reported that the boat had re-floated but had a badly fouled propeller and was drifting to the south-west. On arrival, Leverburgh RNLI’s crew attached a tow line and proceeded to tow the fishing boat to the vicinity of the Scalpay Lighthouse.

From there, Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat took over the tow until they reached the safety of the factory pier, Scalpay. For bringing the casualty vessel alongside, Leverburgh RNLI provided assisted by attaching a line to the stern of the boat.

Scalpay Coastguard Land Unit were also in attendance and met both Lifeboats and the fishing boat at the pier.

Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat and crew were back at the station, refuelled and ready for service again by 1535.

The crew wish to convey their thanks for the hospitality received locally while in Scalpay.

Notes to editors

· Leverburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 2012.

· For regular updates from the station visit their Facebook page on: facebook.com/leverburghrnli

· Credit for all pictures in relation to this shout to: Kenny MacLeod, Leverburgh RNLI.

Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat to the stern of the casualty vessel with line attached.

RNLI/Kenny MacLeod

Leverburgh RNLI assist casualty vessel into the safety of Scalpay factory pier
Leverburgh and Stornoway Lifeboats alongside the Scalpay Marina pontoons

RNLI/Kenny MacLeod

Leverburgh and Stornoway Lifeboats alongside the Scalpay Marina pontoons

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.