newsMarch 2, 2017 at 3:47 pm

Two Orkney lifeboats are now involved in the operation to rescue a fishing boat which is disabled off Orkney in a worsening weather forecast.

Originally Kirkwall Lifeboat was tasked to the scene of the fishing vessel with a fouled propeller 40 miles east of Orkney.

The lifeboat left Kirkwall at 8am heading for the Fraserburgh registered Sunrise which has six crew on board and was unable to make way. According to the RNLI there were no other vessels in the area.

The lifeboat arrived on scene around 10am, and was expected to tow the fishing boat back back to Kirkwall.

Later the Coastguard emergency tug Ievoli Black, which was alongside Hatston Pier, left the berth and headed towards the vessel, but turned back shortly afterwards, while in a position roughly south of Auskerry.

Meanwhile, Longhope Lifeboat was also tasked to the fishing vessel, and made its way towards the boat this afternoon to assist in the tow.

A further update on the situation is expected later.