Emergency services / Aith lifeboat assists small fishing boat
AITH lifeboat was called out this morning (Thursday) to assist of a small fishing boat with three people on board after she had lost power around one mile north of Muckle Roe.
The crew of the fishing vessel had called Shetland Coastguard at around 9.30am.
A spokeswoman for the station in Lerwick said the vessel had suffered gearbox problems.
The lifeboat took her under tow and arrived back at Aith pier just before midday.
Lifeboat coxswain John Robertson said: “This shellfish boat was in no immediate danger, with few hazards nearby, but – having lost propulsion, and with no other vessels in the area – they made the right decision to call the Coastguards and request assistance.
“These types of situations at sea can easily take a turn for the worst, and it is always better for seafarers to be safe – rather than sorry.
“Our volunteer lifeboat crew performed their duties admirably, resulting in – thankfully – a very straightforward towing operation.”
Meanwhile, the search and rescue helicopter airlifted a sick offshore worker from an oil installation to the northeast of Shetland to Tingwall airport earlier this morning.
The helicopter is currently on its way to the East of Shetland to assist another oil worker who has fallen ill.
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