A trawler’s attempt to come to the rescue of another fishing vessel went wrong – leaving both needing the help of a lifeboat crew.
Fraserburgh Lifeboat was called into action on Tuesday night after it was paged to assist the pair.
And in an exceptionally speedy mission, its crew were able to leave port and return within just seven minutes.
At around 8.10pm, the Kjelsvik had attempted to tow the stricken Starlight Rays back to Fraserburgh but the crew accidentally tangled the rope around its own propeller instead.
It resulted in both vessels requiring the help of the RNLI.
The harbour’s own pilot boat was also called out to help tow.
Last night, a spokesman for the Fraserburgh Lifeboat said the crew had been able to leave the harbour and be on the scene within two minutes, returning to port just five minutes later.
“Nine minutes after being paged they were on scene,” he said.
“They successfully set up a tow to a vessel in distress and towed her into Fraserburgh Harbour.”
He added that both the Starlight Rays and Kjelsvik were immobilised when the crew attended.
Both were taken safely back into Fraserburgh Harbour.
The rescue is the first the lifeboat has made since teaming up with Dyce-based oil firm Babcock International to run training drills off Fraserburgh Beach.
With the use of Babcock’s rescue helicopter, the crew performed winch drills with volunteers transferring to and from the lifeboat’s deck.
Victor Sutherland, the coxswain of Fraserburgh Lifeboat, said: “Because we work hand-in-hand with them, be it searches or casualty transfer, it can be an invaluable opportunity.
“The more training we do means we are better prepared for anything that can happen at sea.”
