Fishing vessel towed to safety A fishing boat, grounded on rocks and taking in water, was towed safety amid thick fog on 12 May thanks to the crew of Lerwick's relief lifeboat Fraser Flyer.

The Severn class lifeboat promptly launched and came alongside the vessel, Sarah Joan, and put a crew member with a pump aboart to help reduce the water level in the casualty's hold, which was carrying some 16 tonnes of sand eels.

As soon as the pump was in situ and running, the lifeboat passec the tow and started to take the weight as the casualty was being smashed against the rocks at the north end of Mousa. With high tid only a few hours away, the lifeboat made continued attempts to pul the fishing boat clear - often losing sight of her completely in the Showing superb skill and seamanship, the lifeboat crew finally managed to tow the vessel out of danger, where she was escorted to nearby Malakoff Pier. The pump was left aboard to keep water levels down until morning, whereupon Sarah Joan safely arrived at Heogan fishmeal factory with her cargo..