Lifeboat rescues yacht near Sumburgh after engine failure

THE LERWICK lifeboat was called into action again on Thursday night to go to the aid of a yacht which had suffered engine failure near Sumburgh Head.

The 11-metre yacht had one person on board, and had set off from Fair Isle around 12 noon to head north to Lerwick.

However by late afternoon she had developed engine problems, thought to be fuel-related,.

The light-westerly breeze was initially almost ideal for her to make headway under sail, but by early evening the winds had fallen away and the skipper contacted the coastguard for assistance.

Lerwick lifeboat launched at around 8.40pm and reached the vessel around 45 minutes later, with coxswain Stephen Manson deciding a tow was necessary.

A tow line was established and both vessels reached Lerwick Harbour just after midnight.

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.

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“We hope the skipper can now carry out the necessary engine repairs in the safety of the harbour before continuing their voyage.”

It continues a busy week for the lifeboat crew, who were called to a sailing boat with an engine fire on Tuesday.

They were then involved with a four-hour long search and rescue effort on Wednesday, which was then confirmed to have been a hoax call.