Leverburgh RNLI assists 13.5m passenger vessel
Leverburgh RNLI came to the aid of 9 passengers and 2 crew while on routine exercise
At approximately 1940 hours last night, while on routine exercise in the vicinity of Leverburgh pier, Leverburgh RNLI’s volunteer crew came across a 13.5m passenger vessel which had encountered problems with their steering, leaving them unable to make their way into the pier.
Having established that the vessel was requiring assistance and following correspondence with Stornoway Coastguard, a tow was set up between the casualty vessel and Leverburgh RNLI’s Atlantic 85. The casualty vessel was safely brought alongside at Leverburgh Pier.
There were 9 passengers and 2 crew aboard the casualty vessel. No one was hurt and all were safe & well when they disembarked at Leverburgh Pier.
Leverburgh Lifeboat was back at the versadock and ready for service again by 2115 hours.
Catriona MacLennan, Leverburgh’s Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “I want to commend Rachael, who is one of the youngest Atlantic 85 Helms in the UK, on her quick-thinking last night. She had set off on exercise to show our newest trainee crew member some basic mooring & berthing manoeuvres and before she knew it she was bringing 11 people to the safety of the pier. The wind direction, tide and the casualty vessel’s loss of steering made for tricky conditions but she handled this unexpected situation well.”
If you are interested in joining the station, whether that be ashore or at sea, contact [email protected] or speak to any of the local volunteers.
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.