Busy day for lifeboat

A YACHT with four people on board was towed into Lerwick on Sunday afternoon after encountering problems in the Fair Isle channel earlier in the morning.

The Norwegian yacht – which developed trouble with her sail around 5am – was taken under tow by a standby vessel, which took her in the direction of Sumburgh.

The Lerwick lifeboat took over the tow and the vessels made it to Lerwick by 4pm. The yacht had lost her forestay and sail, and also had lost radio communications.

An hour later the Lerwick lifeboat was launched again to go to the aid of workboat Koada, which had lost power near Hoo Stack, approximately six nautical miles north of Lerwick harbour.

The lifeboat was able to attach a line and tow the vessel to Morrison Dock, arriving around 6.15pm.

Coxswain Darren Harcus said: “It’s been a long day and I’m pleased that we were able to assist both vessels and tow each of them safely into harbour.

“Our volunteer crews are on call 24/7 and the skippers of both vessels did the right thing by raising the alarm with the coastguard as soon as they realised they needed assistance.”