A north-east fisherman has described the moment he and his friend were nearly dashed onto rocks in their tiny vessel.
A rescue operation was launched when friends George and Aaron Robertson radioed the coastguard to say their angling boat The Puffin was being tossed against rocks near Boddam harbour on Monday.
Peterhead’s RNLI lifeboat, The Misses Robertson of Kintail, raced to the The Puffin’s aid and passing creeler Anitra helped tow the boat off the rocks.
Last night George Robertson said: “The main engine started to make a banging noise every so often then the engine cut out.
“We then went to start the outboard which is the back up and the handle snapped.
“The next thing we know we are getting bashed against the rocks with waves, everything in the boat was moving from side to side, the door for the wheelhouse came off the hinges and the shelf inside collapsed causing everything to go everywhere, this was when panic set in.”
Mr Robertson added: “We were in two minds whether to jump off onto the rocks. At one point the boat was on it side and we thought we were going to get thrown out the boat.”
George and Aaron Robertson – both Peterhead men who work for GE Oil and Gas and Subsea 7 respectively – radioed for help and the passing Anitra towed them to safety.
Last night Mr Robertson paid tribute to the rescuers. He said: “We’re very grateful that they were there to save us and the boat and appreciate their help very much.
“It was a good job we were equipped with life jackets and radio communication to the harbour tower as well.”
The Misses Robertson of Kintail, was called out to rescue The Puffin at 2.50pm after the two-man vessel collided with the Skerry rock.
No one was injured in the incident and the lifeboat was finally stood down at 4.50pm after The Puffin arrived safely in Peterhead Harbour..
A Coastguard spokeswoman said: “It was a mayday that came into us. The Puffin was taken under tow by a fishing vessel then taken over by the RNLI vessel.”
She confirmed two rescue helicopters had been put on standby but were not needed.