Trawler grounding triggers Kyle RNLI lifeboat mercy dash to notorious Kylerhea Narrows
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LIFEBOAT volunteers who sped to the aid of a grounded trawler with seven people on board watched anxiously as it came close to capsizing.
The drama unfolded earlier today (Tuesday) after the 22ft fishing vessel got into difficulties on rocks at Kylerhea.
Both Kyle & Mallaig RNLI volunteers and the UK Coastguard helicopter were called the alarm was raised.
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched into a snowstorm at 5:48pm and made best speed towards the vessel, arriving on scene at 6pm.
On arrival the vessel was on the rocks and was listing slightly to port. The seven crew on board were all accounted for and uninjured. The UK Coastguard helicopter from Inverness arrived on scene but was stood down after it emerged there was no danger to the crew.
With the tide coming in rapidly, the vessel began to move around 10 minutes later. However the notorious tides in the narrows were running at 6.5 knots and began to pivot the vessel around the rock, forcing the boat hard aground and the lean soon increased to 26 degrees, with the potential for this to increase as the tide pressed against the side of the trawler forcing it further towards capsizing.
The fishing vessel’s crew readied their life raft and got prepared to abandon the vessel should the boat capsize. The lifeboat could not get alongside the trawler but stood by to rescue any fishermen who entered the water.
At 6:30pm Mallaig lifeboat arrived on scene, and a couple of minutes later the tide rose sufficiently that the trawler began to level off and then came off the rocks. Due to the nature of the grounding the vessel decided to go to the nearest port so that they could inspect it for damage, and so headed for Mallaig. Mallaig lifeboat shadowed the boat back to harbour to ensure it made it safely, and Kyle lifeboat returned to station.
Kyle lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service by 7:30pm
Jonathon MacKinnon, RNLI helm for Kyle’s Lifeboat, said: "This was a rapidly evolving situation which became extremely serious when the tide began to force the vessel over. There was the potential for it to go wrong quite quickly, so it was a relief to see the vessel float free 20 minutes later."
