Motor Boat Holed Off Shapinsay

Friday, August 21, 2009
Posted 19:07 GMT

A motor boat with three people on board became grounded and holed by a rock just off Shapinsay this afternoon and Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat went to assist the crew and attempt to keep the vessel afloat.

At 3.04pm Shetland Coastguard was contacted by the 33 foot motor boat called Shalder reporting that they were taking in water after going aground off Shapinsay and a rock had pierced the bottom of the boat.
Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat was asked to immediately launch and went to the scene to evacuate the three people on board if necessary and with pumps to keep the vessel afloat. The vessel was hard aground and out of the water at low tide at 4.49pm and repairs have been attempted before the tide comes up again.
If the vessel can be repaired and refloated towards high tide at 11.07pm it will be escorted to Kirkwall Harbour by the RNLI lifeboats later tonight.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401