Lifeboats called to assist cargo vessel run aground on Skye

Volunteer lifeboat crews were called to assist a cargo vessel which ran aground on Skye.

Kyle and Portree RNLI crews were called out at 2.18am after the 80-metre (262ft) vessel dragged her anchor and ran aground in the Breakish area.

Kyle lifeboat “Spirit of Fred. Olsen” launched at 2.25am and arrived on scene at 2.40am.

The vessel had run aground at the stern and was being pushed ashore by wind and the sea.

The lifeboat crew made contact with the vessel’s crew to check nobody was injured and inspected the hull of the vessel to ensure there was no obvious damage or pollution risk.

Portree lifeboat also attended around an hour after the Kyle lifeboat arrived on the scene.

The crew of the cargo vessel eventually managed to use her own thrusters and engine to take her off the rocks at 4.15am.

Both lifeboats stood by to ensure the vessel and crew were no longer in danger and there was no pollution risk.

Daniel Elliot, helm for Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Lifeboat, said: “When we arrived on scene, the vessel was aground by the bow and was being pushed further ashore by the sea and weather, with a risk of the vessel turning broadside.

“However, the crew managed to get themselves off the rocks and out into deeper water.

“It was important that we stayed on scene to ensure that there was no unseen damage underneath the waterline which could pose a risk to the crew, or any pollution coming from the vessel which could pose a danger to the environment.”