Tug Capsizes at Peterhead

Sunday, June 14, 2009
Posted 05:57 GMT

Three men have been rescued from a sinking tug at Peterhead after their vessel capsized just outside the entrance to Peterhead Harbour early this morning.

Aberdeen Coastguard was contacted by Peterhead Harbour Master at 4.41am reporting that a tug had capsized with three crew on board. Aberdeen Coastguard immediately requested the launch of Peterhead RNLI lifeboat and contacted all vessels in the area for assistance. Fortunately, a Harbour Pilot boat confirmed they had retrieved all three crew from the water and although cold, wet and shaken they were reported to be uninjured.

The Dutch registered tug called the Ysselstroom remained floating partly submerged for a short while and the Peterhead RNLI lifeboat stood by and the vessel has now sunk in approximately 25 metres water depth.
The 19.5 metres tug had been assisting a barge approximately 500 metres off the entrance to the harbour when the accident happened.

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