Kyle and Portree RNLI crews race to aid large cargo ship ran aground

The UK Coastguard paged the crews after receiving a call from the cargo vessel the early hours of the morning.

Kyle lifeboat ’Spirit of Fred Olsen’ quickly launched and was on its way by 2.25am, making best speed towards the scene through choppy weather.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 2.40am, and found that the vessel was aground at the stern, being pushed ashore by the wind and choppy seas. 

The lifeboat crew made contact with the cargo vessel’s crew to check nobody was injured, and began a visual inspection of the hull to ensure there was no obvious damage or pollution. 

The crew of the cargo vessel were trying various things to free themselves, so the lifeboat stood by to provide safety cover, should they be needed.

Due to the size of the vessel, Portree lifeboat had also been called and arrived approximately an hour after Kyle lifeboat.

With the rising tide, the vessel managed to use her own thrusters and engine to take herself off the rocks at 4.15am, and made her way into deeper water to find a safe place to anchor.

Both lifeboats stood by to ensure that the vessel and crew were no longer in danger and there was no pollution risk.

At 5.25am, the UK Coastguard stood Kyle lifeboat down, but kept Portree on scene to provide safety cover until a Coastguard tug arrived on scene.

Kyle lifeboat then returned to station at 5.40am where the crew refuelled the boat and made it ready for service again.