Donate now

Lerwick Lifeboat tows in yacht with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat launched yesterday evening to go to the aid of an 11-metre yacht near Sumburgh Head which had suffered engine failure

An image of Lerwick Lifeboat at sea coming into harbour at mightnight, with the yacht secured alongside on the port side, in the semi-darkness

RNLI Lerwick

Lerwick Lifeboat brought the yacht into Lerwick harbour at around midnight last night after a three-hour tow.
Download image
The British yacht, with one person on board, had set off from Fair Isle around 12 noon, heading north to Lerwick but by late afternoon and nearing Sumburgh Head, had developed engine problems, thought to be fuel-related.

Although the light-westerly breeze was almost ideal to continue the voyage northwards under sail, winds fell away in the early evening leaving the vessel making almost no headway.

The skipper of the vessel contacted HM Coastguard to request assistance. Lerwick Lifeboat launched at around 8.40pm and in good sea conditions reached the vessel around 45 minutes later, around two nautical miles east of Dunrossness.

After putting a member of the lifeboat crew aboard, the Coxswain determined that a tow was necessary and a tow-line was established. Both vessels made steady progress northwards to Lerwick averaging around six to seven knots, reaching the harbour just after midnight, where the yacht was brought alongside the Alexandra Wharf.

Weather conditions were good, with an air temperature of around 11 to 12 degrees Celsius and very light winds, Force 1-2.

Coxswain Stephen Manson said: “We were pleased to help this yacht into Lerwick, which they wouldn’t easily have been able to do with such light winds for sailing. We hope the skipper can now carry out the necessary engine repairs in the safety of the harbour before continuing their voyage.”



The lifeboat brings the yacht to a safe berth in Lerwick harbour - the image looks at the bow of both boats as crew pass lines and tie up the yacht

RNLI Lerwick

Lifeboat secured the yacht alongside Alexandra Wharf in Lerwick. 
Download image

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Bob Kerr
Lifeboat Press Officer, Lerwick Lifeboat Station

Categories