At around 6.29am on Thursday 1 October, HM Coastguard was made aware of a 30-metre fishing vessel grounded on rocks with 17 people on board off the Northwest shore of Hoy Island in Orkney, Scotland.
An HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter, RNLI Stromness lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Kirkwall and St Margarets Hope were sent, along with a nearby local ferry and RAF aircraft.
HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution Team was also informed, and as a precaution Emergency Towing Vessel IEVOLI BLACK was called for.
Based at Stornoway, HM Coastguard’s R948 Search and Rescue Helicopter manoeuvred overhead the vessel and airlifted all 17 crew back to the island’s mainland, where they were met by coastguards and a Scottish Ambulance Service crew for further assessment.
Deputy Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Having been advised of the immediate dangers posed by the vessel’s precarious position on the rocks, Coastguard Rescue Teams and HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopters responded.
“Immediate action was taken to ensure the safety of crew and all crew members were airlifted to safety.
“We’re very proud of the work of our teams in the air and on the ground. This incident is a great example of how we’re able to provide an agile and effective response through close working between aeronautical assets, ground-based teams, and emergency services partners.”
Providing a 24/7 emergency response across the UK, HM Coastguard coordinates search and rescue for incidents at sea and around the UK coastline. The service’s Search and Rescue Helicopters operate as part of an integrated national network.
