Lifeboat called out to free yacht

Kirkwall Lifeboat Margaret Foster was called out yesterday afternoon, Thursday, when the crew of a yacht was unable to raise its anchor, after it became stuck on underwater obstruction off Eday.

Shetland Coastguard were contacted by those onboard the 32 foot yacht Wimbrel  in Fersness Bay, who initially thought that the anchor was caught on a cable.

As there were no other boats in the area, the lifeboat was alerted and headed for the scene, leaving just before 4pm.

A Coastguard spokesman said that on checking charts it became clear that the anchor was not attached to a cable, but on mooring chains.

After the yacht was freed the lifeboat headed back to Kirkwall, arriving around 7pm.