Tug ‘Inge’ under tow (Credit RNLI)
Date: 24/09/2011
Author: Bruce Tait, Lifeboat Operations Manager
Wick RNLI lifeboat Roy Barker 2 was called out Saturday 24 September, to go to the aid of the 24 metre tug ‘Inge’ which had called Aberdeen Coastguard to request assistance, as she was drifting without power off Duncansbay Head.
The lifeboat launched at 8.35am, and was tasked to assist the vessel, which had suffered gearbox problems at the eastern entrance to the Pentland Firth, 11 miles north of Wick. The Ro-Ro ferry Thorsvoe which was nearby, was also requested to stand by until arrival of the lifeboat.
The lifeboat arrived on scene within 40 minutes and secured a towline to the 150 tonne vessel, which was on passage from Kyle of Lochalsh to Grimsby with a crew of three on board.
Due to tidal conditions, the tow back to Wick took over 4 hours, with the vessel safely alongside in harbour at 2.20pm.