Efforts under way to refloat 500-tonne ship that ran aground off Skye

Efforts are being made to refloat a 500-tonne vessel that ran aground off the Isle of Skye.

Kyle and Portree RNLI lifeboats went to the scene in the Kylerhea and Glenelg area when the alarm was raised at around 6.40pm on Tuesday.

However by the time both crews arrived on the scene shortly before 8pm the tide had receded too far to try and refloat the vessel.

The crew of the 40-metre fish carrier were transferred to another vessel in the area to wait for the tide to return.

They boarded the vessel again on Wednesday morning and efforts are under way to try and refloat it.

Emergency towing vessel Ievoli Black is on its way from Orkney to the scene to assist and is expected to arrive in the early hours of Thursday.

Andrew MacDonald, spokesman for Kyle RNLI Lifeboat, said on Tuesday evening: “The vessel ran aground around the time of high tide, therefore by the time ourselves and other assistance arrived on scene, there was no way we could get the boat refloated.

“The decision was made to take the crew off the vessel overnight for their own safety, and at the next high tide in the morning, there will be attempts made to refloat the boat.”