Kirkwall Lifeboat called to Shapinsay fishing vessel

Kirkwall Lifeboat was called out last night to tow in a Shapinsay based creel boat which had suffered from a broken prop shaft off the east coast of the island.

The lifeboat left Kirkwall with coxswain Stewart Ryrie and six crew aboard just before 5pm, after the RNLI was contacted by Shetland Coastguard. They headed to the location of the creel boat Mary Jean, which had one crewman onboard. Around 20 minutes later they were on scene and a tow line was connected.

The skipper of the fishing boat was taken onboard the lifeboat and the Mary Jean was then towed to Shapinsay Pier, arriving alongside at 6.10pm.

Kirkwall Lifeboat was back on station, refuelled and ready for service again at 6.30pm. This was the fifth launch for the lifeboat this year.