Local creel boat rescued by Thurso RNLI crew

THURSO lifeboat was called to the aid of a local fishing boat which drifted on to rocks at Brims Ness while pulling creels this morning.

A radio message was received from one of the crew members on board the boat saying that they had lost steering and had run aground on rocks.

The call for help was also heard by the captain of the MV Hamnavoe, which had just left Scrabster, and the NorthLink ferry then diverted course to offer assistance.

However, the lifeboat arrived on the scene quickly, shortly before 9am, and the crew launched their inflatable Y-class boat.

One of the lifeboat members went to the aid of the creel boat to make sure the two fishermen were all right and to check the condition of the vessel.

With the inflatable craft standing by, the boat was safely towed off the rocks and taken to Scrabster harbour, arriving around 10.10am.

Coxswain Gordon Munro said: "The fishing crew were pulling creels when the boat lost its steering. They did the right thing in contacting the coastguard as soon as they realised they were in difficulty."

Meanwhile, Thurso lifeboat has had to cancel this Sunday's Christmas fayre which was scheduled to take place in the town's Royal British Legion club.

RNLI press officer Ron Gunn said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel the Christmas fayre."

The event was due to take place from 11am-3pm and a number of stallholders had been signed up.

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