At 06.55 this morning Aberdeen Coastguard received a call from a fishing vessel ‘Bounteous’ reporting that they were taking on water 56 miles off Fraserburgh and their attempts to pump out the water had not been successful.
Aberdeen MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) declared a Mayday situation and scrambled Coastguard Rescue helicopter Mike Uniform to the scene equipped with pumps to remove the ingress of water. They also
requested the launch of Fraserburgh Lifeboat and made communication with a nearby Fishery Protection Vessel, ‘Minna’ who proceeded to the scene.
At 08.40 the Coastguard helicopter arrived on scene and the winchman boarded the vessel and assisted the 4 crew in stemming the ingress of water and appropriating the pumps. Shortly afterwards it was reported that the vessel’s ingress had been contained and that water levels were beginning to go down.
Aberdeen MRCC Watch Manager David Robertson said:
“Currently the Bounteous is still en route to its original destination of Fraserburgh. Fishery Protection Vessel Minna is escorting the vessel to ensure its safe arrival, and the Fraserburgh Lifeboat will take over the escort as soon as it arrives. The ingress of water is under control and the pump equipment is beginning to relieve the water on board.
The weather on scene is currently force 8 gales with 6-7 metre waves and all resources involved have overcome these horrendous conditions to allow a vessel in a potentially hazardous situation to continue its passage safely.”
