CASPIAN K

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Trawler broke down in gale force winds

The "Russa Taign" broke down 12 miles west of Noup Head on Westray, Orkney, on Sep 29, 2016, and was drifting in gale-force winds. The RNLI boat in Stromness was paged at 6.20 p.m. The lifeboat left the harbour at 6.30 p.m. and headed west out of Hoy sound into winds forecast at Force 7-8. A course close the the Black Craig was followed in rough seas to get to the vessel as quickly as possible. The conditions were too rough for the lifeboat to tow the much larger fishing boat so at 7.20 p.m. the Coastguard asked the Emergency Towing Vessel "Heracles" to join the operation. The Orkney Registered fishing vessel "Keila" had left Scrabster and was also en route to the scene to help with the towing operation. The Stromness lifeboat arrived at the disabled fishing vessel at 8.15 p.m. after a rough passage at reduced speed. The Coastguard asked the lifeboat to stand-by the fishing vessel until the larger towing vessels arrived. At 11.00 p.m. the "Heracles" arrived on the scene and was joined shortly afterwards by the "Keila". The "Keila" attached a wire tow to the disabled vessel and began the tow. The Coastguard then asked the lifeboat to return to Stromness. Shortly afterwards the tow broke and the "Heracles" took over the towing operation. They travelled through Westray Firth, east of Shapinsay and into Kirkwall Bay. The Stromness lifeboat returned at reduced speed to make sure it didn't arrive at the entrance to Hoy Sound in dangerous conditions with full ebb ride against westerly wind and swell. The lifeboat passed close to the north shore of Graemsay and entered Stromness Harbour at 03.45 a.m. The casualty along with the seven-strong crew was meanwhile towed to Kirkwall where the convoy arrived on Sep 30 shortly after 7 a.m., around 13 hours after the alarm was raised. The OIC Marine Services pilot boat "Kirkwall Bay" escorted the vessel to the pier. It was berthed safely alongside Hatston Pier shortly before 10 a.m. Reports with photos and video: http://stv.tv/news/north/1368513-scotland-s-only-emergency-tug-rescues-stricken-boat-in-gale/ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/emergency-coastguard-tug-rescues-stricken-8946387