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Relieved Yachtsman towed home by Stromness RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On a beautiful, calm late evening, close to the longest day, the Stromness RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew went to assist a lone yachtsman whose propeller had become fouled in a creel rope.

View, into the sunset, through the wheelhouse door, of the casualty yacht being towed home by the lifeboat

RNLI/Richard Clubley

A slow tow home
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The sea was flat but the casualty vessel was perilously close to rocks at the Brough of Birsay, in the north-west corner of Orkney. Violet Dorothy and Kathleen was launched at 9:30pm on 24 June 2023.

Birsay was soon reached and a much relieved skipper was taken under tow after the creel rope was cut free, the propeller was still fouled however. At a steady 7kts the lifeboat and yacht reached Stromness marina by 12:30am. There was still a bit of light left in the sky.

The skipper was very appreciative of the service rendered by the Stromness RNLI crew. The shout was reported on our facebook page and over 700 people liked the post, along with quite a number who took the trouble to comment on the job. In a small town such as Stromness, it is a massive boost to the crew to know that they are deeply appreciated and their efforts valued by townsfolk.

Notes to editors

ยท Stromness lifeboat station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/stromness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Richard Clubley, Lifeboat Press Officer, [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

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.

About the author

Richard Clubley
Lifeboat Press Officer, Stromness

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