Unusual call out for Longhope Lifeboat

The Longhope lifeboat was called yesterday after the liferaft from the Papa Westray ferry Golden Mariana went adrift.

The Coastguard requested the lifeboat to launch at 12.30pm after reports of an inflatable liferaft, with no one on board, was seen drifting in the Pentland Firth south-west of Hoy.

The 25 man liferaft had been lost on Saturday from the Papa Westray ferry as she returned from refit at Peterhead.

Once located, the crew members had a tricky job of securing the raft to the lifeboat as there are no fittings with which to attach a rope.

However, with some ingenious rope work the crew managed to lasso the liferaft and wedge part of it onto the transom at the stern.

The seas were moderate with a cold south-easterly wind gusting 30 knots and visibility good.

Progress back to Hoy was slow due to the strong tides and vulnerability of the liferaft but eventually the more sheltered waters of Aith Hope were reached.

Once close inshore the liferaft was strategically released and the wind blew it ashore where the Hoy Coastguards were waiting to retrieve it.

An unusual call out but a great example of problem solving and teamwork from the crew.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready again for service at 5.30pm.