Ross lifeboat aids stricken Norwegian yacht
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INVERGORDON lifeboat was launched to aid a stricken Norwegian sailing vessel.
The Invergordon crew received the shout mid-morning on Sunday to respond to a call made to Aberdeen Coastguard, via Wick Lifeboat, to take over a tow of a Norwegian-registered yacht.
The all-weather Trent Class Lifeboat Douglas Aikman Smith launched at 11.16am to rendezvous with the Wick lifeboat around five miles north of Tarbetness Point in Easter Ross.
The Norwegian registered Nora, with two American crew on board, ran aground while attempting to enter Helmsdale Harbour.
The yacht managed to refloat by the time Wick lifeboat Roy Barker II arrived on scene. However the vessel suffered a mechanical failure, resulting in loss of propulsion.
With a keel too big to enter Helmsdale, it was decided to tow the vessel south towards Invergordon.
The Invergordon lifeboat made best speed to Wick’s southbound position, and transferred the two crew over to the sailing vessel to migrate the tow across from Wick lifeboat to Invergordon lifeboat.
Wick lifeboat was then stood down and returned to Wick Harbour.
Invergordon lifeboat, with the tow fixed, made its way back to Invergordon West Harbour with an average speed of six knots.
While under tow, one of the American crew slipped on the deck and slightly hurt his side, but after a casualty examination, no further medical assistance was required.
The tow was reduced once within the calmer waters of the Cromarty Firth to allow Nora come alongside the lifeboat to be manoeuvred safely onto a pontoon in Invergordon West Harbour.
The Nora will undergo repairs before making its journey through the Caledonian Canal towards Dartford.
The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service by 4.30pm.
