Lifeboat comes to aid of yacht with broken mast

THE LERWICK Lifeboat went to the aid of a 15-metre yacht earlier today (Sunday) after a mast broke as the vessel rounded Sumburgh Head.

The Czech-registered yacht with seven people on board had travelled overnight from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands and was rounding Sumburgh Head this morning, on its way to Lerwick Harbour.

In strong winds, a mast had broken and the skipper of the yacht had issued a ‘Pan-pan’ radio message to request assistance from any nearby vessels.

At the request of HM Coastguard, the Lerwick Lifeboat crew were paged at 9.25am and launched within 15 minutes, into a strong southerly breeze.

Despite heavy sea swell, the lifeboat averaged around 23 knots, taking about an hour to reach the stricken vessel at 10.45am, one nautical mile east of Compass Head.

Sumburgh Airport’s fast rescue craft also launched from nearby Grutness Voe to provide assistance, arriving on scene at the same time as the lifeboat.

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The crew of the yacht made the broken mast and rigging safe, and after assessing the situation, it was decided by that a tow by the lifeboat was necessary.

Lifeboat crew established a tow line, and took the vessel at a steady five to six knots to Lerwick harbour.

The yacht was brought alongside a safe berth on Victoria Pier at around 2.45pm. The lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for her next service. Winds were southerly throughout, a steady force seven, with a sea swell of three to four metres.

Coxswain Stephen Manson said: “Weather conditions today have been challenging with a stiff southerly breeze. If winds had shifted, this disabled yacht was at risk of being blown ashore onto rocks near Sumburgh Head.

“We were pleased to be able to reach the vessel in good time and to then take her under tow, safely into Lerwick Harbour for repairs.”