STORNOWAY COASTGUARD CO-ORDINATE ASSISTANCE TO DRIFTING VESSEL

Stornoway Coastguard are currently co-ordinating assistance towards the ‘Red Duchess’, a coal carrying merchant vessel which broke down off the coast of the Isle of Rhum earlier this morning.
 
The vessel is a UK flag small coaster of 76m length.  Its cargo of coal was bound for Stornoway. The vessel is also carrying 27 cubic metres of diesel oil and 400 litres of lube oil. 
 
The vessel suffered an engine failure but retains electrical power and is able to anchor if required.  In the prevailing weather which is poor, with south westerly winds of force 7 – 8, the vessel is drifting at about 1 knot towards the Island’s Harris Bay. 
 
The vessel is currently drifting into waters of an average depth of 20 metres at least half a mile off shore which will make anchoring practical even though the bottom is rocky.  The Mallaig lifeboat has now been launched and has got a line on board in an attempt to arrest the ships drift.
 
The Coastguard ETV ‘Anglian Prince’ normally based at Stornoway has been sent to the area, but is still five hours steaming away from the location.
 
The Coastguard rescue helicopter is moving to Rhum if required for any possible evacuation of crew from the vessel.
 
 

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