Politicians have renewed calls for an emergency tug to be reinstated off the West Coast after a cargo ship without power and drifting in rough Atlantic seas near rocks off Lewis was dramatically rescued in a 16-hour operation.
The Mallaig-based Fame, with five crew and carrying salmon feed, was battered for by 50-65mph storm-force winds and 26ft waves before eventually being taken under tow yesterday by a tug that had sailed 250 miles from Orkney.
The Fame’s crew had dropped both anchors to try and prevent it from grounding, while two lifeboats and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter stood by to evacuate if necessary.
Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar reiterated calls for the reinstatement of a dedicated Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) for the west coast.
Mr Allan said: “After the Transocean Winner oil rig washed up on the beach of Dalmore last year we were told there was still not a case for an additional ETV based on the west coast, and that the Orkney-based ETV would be undertaking regular patrols to the Western Isles instead.
“[This] incident shows this is not good enough to protect our coast.”
He compared Scotland’s sole tug, covering a coastline of 18,000km, with that of Germany, which has a coastline of 2,389km but has eight ETVs.
The MSP added: “I once again call upon the UK Government to live up to its maritime safety obligations.”
Comhairle leader Ronnie Mackay said: “These incidents are all too frequent and we remain very concerned about the current situation which increases the risks for mariners and the environment.
“We will once again be making the case to the UK Government for a second ETV.”
The Coastguard was called just before 5.30pm on Thursday, reporting the Fame had engine failure and was drifting about one mile off Lewis, near Scarp.
A spokesman for the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: “Despite battling Force 8-10 winds and a swell of up to 6-8 metres, the crew onboard managed to deploy both anchors to try and stop the vessel from grounding.
“The Coastguard helicopter and the Stornoway and Leverburgh lifeboats were sent to provide immediate assistance. The helicopter was ready to evacuate if necessary, but the vessel drifted clear of rocks.”
The ETV Ievoli Black was sent at full speed, arriving just before 9.30am yesterday – a full 16 hours after the initial alarm was raised.
A tow was established and the vessels headed for Stornoway Harbour, expecting to arrive around 8am today.
Two ETVs were deployed following the 1993 Braer oil tanker grounding off Shetland but spending cuts resulted in this being reduced to one.
An MCA spokesman added: “The Government’s position remains that the cost of shipping should be borne by the shipping industry rather that the taxpayer, though it has been recognised that the waters around north and north-west Scotland are a special case, given their significant environmental sensitivity and their contribution to both the Scottish and UK economy.
“The case for providing two ETVs rather than one was considered during discussion. The operational experience of the past six years has demonstrated that a single ETV has been sufficient to meet the needs for emergency towage in the region.”