Stricken Skye boat which ran aground on rocks off island still stuck after refloat attempt fails

Initial attempts to refloat a fishing vessel which ran aground off the coast of Skye have proved unsuccessful.

The 40-metre long boat became stuck on rocks in the Kyle Rhea and Glenelg area, forcing nearby craft to help crew evacuate.

Lifeboats from two nearby RNLI stations at Kyle and Portree and colleagues from HM Coastguard both responded to calls from the stricken vessel on Tuesday evening and planned to refloat it when the tide rose again the following morning.

But that failed and a second effort will now be made at the next high tide.

The coastguard said they deployed the towing vessel the Levoli Black to aid in the effort.

“HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to a fish carrier with four people on board, which ran aground just south of Kyle Rhea yesterday evening,” they said.

“Kyle and Portree RNLI lifeboats and two workboats have been sent to help the vessel, which ran aground on a falling tide yesterday at approximately 6.30pm.

“The crew were transferred to one of the workboats, which remained on scene overnight as safety cover, before they reboarded the stricken vessel in an attempt to refloat it on this morning’s high tide. They were unsuccessful.

“A further attempt is scheduled to take place at the next high tide, while the Levoli Black is travelling to the area to provide further assistance if required.”