Lifeboat tows in small boat with fouled propeller

LERWICK Lifeboat was called out earlier on Sunday to assist a small six-metre boat which had fouled its propeller near the island of Noss.

The lifeboat launched just before midday and headed to the southeast of Bressay where they took over the tow from a local tour boat which had provided initial assistance.

The stricken vessel had five persons on board and had lost propulsion after its main engine had fouled its propeller in some old creel lines without any marker buoys on the surface.

With increasing south easterly winds, force two to three at the time, the lifeboat towed the vessel into Lerwick harbour.

The vessel’s propeller was fouled in some old creel lines.

The vessel’s propeller was fouled in some old creel lines.

On approach to the harbour, lifeboat crew provided assistance to remove most of the line and two attached creels.

However, the propeller remained fouled, and the lifeboat took the vessel to a safe berth at Lerwick marina at the north of the harbour.

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Second coxswain Tommy Goudie said: “It was unfortunate for this vessel to become wound up in some old unmarked creel lines.

“The skipper of the boat did the right thing in contacting the Coastguard as soon as they knew they were in difficulty.

“Our volunteer crew are always ready to respond to any call to launch and we were pleased to be able to bring the boat back to a safe berth.”