Cargo vessel drifting in Force 10 weather conditions now under tow
Yesterday afternoon, just before 5.30pm, HM Coastguard received a Pan Pan VHF Radio broadcast from the ‘MV FAME’ reporting that it had engine failure and was drifting 1.2 nm offshore the Isle of Lewis in a SSW direction.
Despite battling Force 8-10 winds and a swell of up to 6-8 metres, the five crew onboard managed to deployed both anchors to try and stop the vessel from grounding whilst it waited for the Lifeboats to arrive on scene.
The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway and the RNLI Stornoway and Leverburgh All Weather lifeboats were sent to the scene to provide immediate assistance. The Coastguard helicopter was ready to evacuate crew if necessary but the vessel drifted clear of rocks. The MCA’s Emergency Towing Vessel ‘Ievoli Black’ was also tasked from her patrol area to the location at full speed.
Leverburgh Lifeboat was stood down early this morning, however the Stornoway Lifeboat still remains on scene to provide assistance.
The MCA’s ‘Ievoli Black’ arrived on scene and a tow was established early this morning and plans are in place to tow the vessel to a place of safety.
The Scottish Environmental Group and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) are being kept updated and the Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage is monitoring the situation.
HM Coastguard Commander Peter Davies said: ‘We are continuing to monitor the situation to avoid any risk to the remaining crew and damage to the vessel. The five crew currently onboard and the RNLI All Weather Lifeboats have been battling bad weather conditions all night to keep the vessel from grounding and we have so far managed to stabilise the vessel from drifting further. The vessel is currently 6nm from the Isle of Harris and we just established a tow this morning so the vessel can be taken to a safe shelter away from the prevailing weather conditions. We will provide further updates as we receive them.’