A major rescue operation, involving Coast Guard helicopter and two RNLI lifeboats – Stromness and Kirkwall, to assist the adrift Cargo ship Skog was successful. The 99 m long vessel was towed safely and tied to Hatston Pier on Wednesday morning.
The Coastguard tug along with Orkney Towage tugs and the pilot boat Kirkwall Bay towed the ship to Kirkwall in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Background:
The Barbados- flagged ship with a cargo of paper was adrift without engine power and has started taking in water. Immediately, the Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopter along with two RNLI lifeboats – Stromness and Kirkwall.
ETV Herakles, Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s emergency towing vessel, was sent to the scene. The Skog has taken a tow line from the ETV Herakles and is being taken to Kirkwall Harbour for repairs. The reports state that the ten crew members remain on board the Skog and pumps have been transferred on board the cargo ship by the Coastguard helicopter.
Source: Orcadian
