Vessel rescued after becoming entangled in fish farm ropes

The Portree RNLI lifeboat was dispatched to the scene near Rigg after pagers sounded at 10.18am.

Vessel rescued off Skye after becoming entangled in fish farm ropes — A lifeboat was dispatched to the scene. RNLI Portree

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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

A fishing vessel was rescued near Skye on Wednesday after it became entangled in ropes at a fish farm.

The Portree RNLI lifeboat was dispatched to the scene near Rigg after they were alerted to a trapped fishing vessel at 10.18am.

The Trent class vessel, Stanley Watson Barker, launched 15 minutes later for the Trotternish peninsula in the North East of the island.

The vessel was freed and safely towed.

Volunteers were called out twice in three days. RNLI Portree

Hamish Corrigall, Portree RNLI lifeboat Coxswain, said: “When we arrived on scene, our priority was to ensure that the vessel and those onboard were safe and well.

“Once this had been established, we were then able to assist with freeing the fishing vessel. We assessed the situation before making the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties.

“We carry out regular training exercises for all types of emergency scenario, including vessel entanglement and fouled props, so the crew worked well together to ensure the vessel could be towed to safety.”

Three days earlier, on May 25, volunteers from Portree RNLI were called to assist a casualty with a head injury on a yacht in Portree Bay.

The crew provided emergency casualty care before transferring the casualty to the Portree pontoon and into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.