Kyle and Portree lifeboats called to 40 metre vessel aground near Kylerhea

Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 6:45pm and made best speed towards the area, with the lifeboat arriving on scene at 6:55pm. The lifeboat crew made contact with the casualty vessel, and ascertained that no-one was injured, however due to the rapidly receding tide the stricken boat was firmly stuck aground.

Portree lifeboat arrived on scene around 7.55pm, and with numerous other vessels in the area also coming to offer assistance, it was decided to take the casualty vessel's crew off the stricken boat. Shortly after 9:00pm the crew were retrieved and transferred to a nearby vessel to await the tide coming back in when they will try and refloat the aground vessel.

The lifeboats were then stood down and Kyle returned to station where the lifeboat was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service by 9:45pm.

Andrew MacDonald, spokesman for Kyle RNLI Lifeboat, says: ‘The vessel ran aground around the time of high tide, therefore by the time ourselves and other assistance arrived on scene, there was no way we could get the boat refloated. The decision was made to take the crew off the vessel overnight for their own safety, and at the next high tide in the morning, there will be attempts made to refloat the boat.’

Notes to editors

· Please credit the pictures to Kyle RNLI

· For further details on the casualty vessel, please contact the UK Coastguard

· This is the 12^th callout of the year for the Kyle volunteers

RNLI media contacts

Andrew MacDonald, Lifeboat Press Officer for Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat station, 07748 707606, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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