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Small boat successfully towed to safety

Lifeboats News Release

The Aith Lifeboat was called out early on Tuesday morning after a local fishing boat suffered engine problems to the west of Shetland.

RNLI

Safely under tow in to Scalloway
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Lifeboat volunteers left Aith on board the RNLI Charles Lidbury soon after being alerted at 0900, steaming to an area 5 miles north of Foula to assist the 10 metre creel boat that had broken down. The lifeboat crew, having assessed the situation, decided to tow the stricken vessel into Scalloway Harbour - with no other boats nearby to offer assistance.

The creel boat, with one crew member on board, was towed safely back into port by 1315. After a welcome delivery of Cornerstone fish and chips, the RNLI crew made their way back to base in Aith - tying up there again by 1500.

Aith Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain Robbie Anderson, commented that the creel boat had done the right thing in calling for assistance.

"Our volunteer RNLI crew all performed their duties perfectly, resulting in a textbook towing operation and an efficient call out."







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.

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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.

About the author

Daniel Lawson
Lifeboat Press Officer, Aith Lifeboat Station

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