Thurso Lifeboat crew spent a day in heavy seas going to the assistance of fishing vessel Sparkling Line with a fouled propeller north of Whiten Head.
Severn class lifeboat Roger and Joy Freeman (relief lifeboat 17-31) launched just after midday on Thursday from Scrabster Harbour with the crew strapped into their seats from the very start, for what was became a rough passage west along the north coast.
After battling against a westerly gale and heavy seas for almost two hours the lifeboat came alongside Sparkling Line which was disabled and drifting in heavy seas. Although there was no immediate danger to the vessel, it had been drifting slowly towards the shore while the lifeboat was en route and was 2.5 miles north of Eilan nan Ron when the lifeboat arrived on scene.
Weather conditions and the sea state were not good throughout the day, with gale force 8 westerly winds and a heavy swell, which at times saw the crew facing 8-10 metre waves, as well as heavy squalls of hail, sleet and rain. These weather conditions made for a long and difficult seven hour tow back to Scrabster Harbour. During the return to harbour the tow parted on five occasions, both during daylight and darkness.
After being at sea for 9 hours and 30 minutes the lifeboat berthed Sparkling Line alongside at Scrabster Harbour. The crew then refuelled the lifeboat and made her ready for service.
The coxswain for the above service was Dougie Munro who recently received his 40 years service medal from the RNLI. Dougie is a younger brother of Wing Munro who retired a fortnight ago after almost 48 years service at Thurso RNLI. Between them the two brothers have clocked up nearly a century of service to Thurso Lifeboat.
