Longhope RNLI in Scapa Flow boat rescue
(PIC: Steven Rhodes/Longhope RNLI)
RNLI Longhope Lifeboat rescued a small boat and its two crew from imminent danger in Scapa Flow last night after a mayday call was received that the boat was in trouble close to a rocky shore off Hunda.
Longhope lifeboat crew were paged at 7.45pm by UK Coastguard. They were underway seven minutes later to the vessel in distress at the north side of the uninhabited island of Hunda, off the shore of Burray.
Two people were aboard the 8 metre boat Peerie Yin which had suffered engine failure.
The anchor had been dropped but unfortunately the anchor line broke. As the lifeboat approached, the stricken vessel was beam on to the shore and minutes away from suffering damage from the rocks, according to Longhope RNLI.
Manoeuvring in shallow waters, with moderate sea conditions and a northerly wind, the lifeboat managed to establish a tow and bring the vessel into deeper waters.
The crew then towed the vessel to Flotta and brought it safely alongside the pier. The lifeboat returned to station just after 10pm, refuelled and made ready again for service.