Emergency services / Lifeboat heads out to fishing vessel 60 miles east of Lerwick after reports of flooding
THE LERWICK Lifeboat has been called out in rough weather to assist a fishing vessel around 60 miles to the east of Shetland which was taking in water.
It is understood that the boat involved is the 18-metre Danish Westbank.
Shetland Coastguard said this afternoon that flooding on the board the fishing vessel had now stopped and that the crew had managed to remove water using equipment on board their boat.
However the coastguard is looking into arranging a possible tow for the fishing boat as it suffered engine problems.
A search and rescue helicopter from Norway attended the scene earlier in the afternoon.
An oil related vessel has been asked to provide support, while Lerwick lifeboat is still en route despite being launched shortly before 2pm.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard is coordinating the response to a fishing vessel that released a distress call off Shetland after water ingress caused engine problems.
“The alarm was raised at about 12.20pm on 19 October to a location 60 nautical miles east of Lerwick.
“A search and rescue helicopter from Norway attended until the situation improved.
“The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Lerwick and a nearby vessel have been sent to provide further assistance.”
A spokesperson for the RNLI said they could not give out details as the call was ongoing.
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