Press Notice No: Duty Press Notice
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Posted 15:09 GMT

At 12.30 today the dive boat Valkyrie contacted Shetland Coastguard reporting that it was in difficulties in bad weather five miles South East of Sumburgh.

Shortly afterwards the skipper made contact with Shetland Coastguard again, reporting that they were now taking on water. Shetland Coastguard declared it a distress situation after consulting with the skipper and requested the launch of Lerwick Lifeboat to the scene. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 102 had just undertaken a medical evacuation from a nearby oil rig but was diverted to the scene to provide assistance. Fisheries Research vessel Scotia also proceeded to the scene, along with nearby Norwegian yacht, the Linda K.

Once on scene, the helicopter transferred pumps from the Scotia and they began to try and stem the ingress of water. The pumps are now coping with the ingress of water, and the situation is stable.

Shetland Coastguard Watch Officer Alex Dodge said:

The dive boat Valkyrie is now en route to Lerwick accompanied by the Lerwick lifeboat with 14 persons on board, all of whom are safe and well. The skipper handled the situation extremely well and we would like to thank all resources involved who diverted to the scene to assist.

Rescue Helicopter 102 in particular diverted from its journey to hospital with a casualty with a broken rib on board in order to assist, and we are also pleased to report that the man has now arrived safely at hospital.


Posted By: Rosie Tapping

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401