19June Launch request from Aberdeen Coastguard 11.53hrs.

Angling boat "Hebridean Warrior" suffered machinery failure and was adrift 11 miles north of Scrabster.Thurso Lifeboat was launched at 12.05hrs and proceeded to casualty with an ETA of 1235hrs.

A Tow was established and the Hebridean Warrior with 9 persons on board, towed back to Scrabster where they were berthed at the fuelling pier due to Tanker manoeuvres in the inner basin.

The Taylors was refuelled and ready for service 1430hrs.

No pics available.

06July Launch Request from Aberdeen Coastguard 20.18hrs.

Angling vessel "Karen" with 14 persons on board taking water at position N58 33.00   W003 25.00 immediate assistance required.

Thurso lifeboat launched with 7 crew aboard and arrived on scene 20 minutes later with pumps prepared but not required as the Karens bilge pumps were coping, so a tow rope was attached and because the stability of Karen was not compromised the crew and passengers were left on board while they were towed back to Scrabster arriving safely at 21.30hrs.

The Taylors was refuelled and ready for service at 2200hrs.

Photo by Karen Munro.

11 July - Launch request from Aberdeen C/G 19.30hrs.

!9.40hrs TLB launched with 7 crew aboard, sea state moderate and SW6 wind, tasked to Whiten Head where a 28ft yacht was reported by people onshore to be in difficulties. The Fisheries protection vessel Jura was also tasked but was 8nm NW of Whiten Hd. TLB  arrived on scene at 2100hrs and the casualty had just released a red flare to confirm to Jura that he was requiring assistance. Jura launched a RIB and went along side the casualty who still had sail up and seemed very disorientated. Radio com`s with the RIB soon disclosed the lone sailor was 76 years old, and could not speak English, Aberdeen C/G listening in were able to provide a duty officer who could talk the talk which disclosed the 76 year old had been swamped 48 hrs earlier and had been struggling ever since and was now being overcome with exhaustion. The decision was then made to put 2 of our crew aboard (Brimser and Kevy D) to de-rig the yacht and rig a tow for the long tow back to Scrabster. Once under way the casualty went to bed and slept soundly while the pair of novice sailors made a sterling job of steering back to port,even though they never got a nip of rum or a cup of tea even. HaHa . Arrival alongside in Scrabster at 0230hrs.TLB refuelled and made ready for service by 0300hrs.

12July- 2225hrs Launch request from Aberdeen C/G.

Boat launched at 2235hrs with 7 crew aboard, a yacht was sighted off Dounreay heading east but finding the present weather conditions difficult after they had already been turned away from Sandside Harbour by the locals due to large swell running in there. The sea swell was 5 to 6 meters which was quite surprising for the wind strength which was NW 4 to 5. We were surprised by the size of the swell when we rounded Holburn Hd which made plotting a yacht on the radar difficult but we got an echo - 4.5nm NW of Holborn Hd and headed to that which turned out to be the yacht "Gullimot" which was the yacht reported. When asked if they required assistance they said they were alright but was grateful when we offered to escort them into Scrabster, which was dually done and the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service at 2400 hrs.

13July- 1918hrs. Launch request from Aberdeen C/G.

Fishing Vessel "Sparkling Star" BCK264 on fire 1 nm north of Holborn Head. Boat launched at 1925hrs with 7 crew and proceeded at full speed to the Sparkling Star. After a radio conversation with the skipper who told us the fire was electrical and in the engine room which was also full of smoke,it was decided to tow them back to Scrabster where the Fire Brigade could deal with it. Permission was granted to enter the harbour and an Ambulance and Fire brigade was requested on scene for out arrival. The Tow rope parted twice on the passage back to harbour but was quickly re-established and we got them alongside at 2050hrs.to the awaiting Fire brigade,ambulance,police and coastguard.The engineer of the boat was taken to Wick hospital and kept in overnight for smoke inhalation and an ashma attack but was released next day after getting de-coked.

15July-1825hrs,launched by Aberdeen C/G to 2 children marooned on rocks by the tide at Farr bay but was stood down at Strathy Pt as the coastguards had managed to get to them.

16July- 1815hrs launched by Aberdeen C/G in 2-3m swell with a SW5-6 wind to a lone sailor in a yacht called "Sea Yonder" who was anchored on the North side of the Lime Kilns in Loch Erribol but could not get free and was in danger of capsizing trying to lift his fouled anchor with his winch. Arrived  on scene at 2000hrs and assisted the yachtsman to cut himself free and move to a more sheltered berth onto a mooring further up the loch below the Kempies house. Boat returned to Scrabster at 2400hrs and refuelled with 1840ltrs.

10Sept - 11.30 coastguard reported and launch request to angling Vessel "Karen" reported engine room fire at position " east of Dunnet Head in Brough bay,14 persons on board, no propulsion,drifting east".TLB launched and arrived on scene at 1210hrs,engine room fire was out but the 12 anglers were transferred to the Lifeboat as a precaution and a tow was established with the remaining 2 crew on board and the vessel towed back to Scrabster arriving at 1400hrs where the fire brigade were on scene to check and secure the fire was extinguished.

01Oct - Angling boat Gypsy lost power off Spear point with 3 pob. Relief boat Beth Sell 1733 launched on one engine due to an electrical fault in the start system. Arrived on scene 15 mins and a tow was established from the bow of the lifeboat to pull the boat clear of the rock shelf and then transferred to the stern to tow the casualty back to Scrabster. 

!0Dec - Fishing vessel Girl Erica lost power 4.5 nm NW of Holborn Head in moderate sea conditions and SW 5 winds.TLB launched at 1629 hrs and towed vessel back to Scrabster arriving at 1800hrs.

23Dec - FV Kingfisher reported engine overheating 1.5 nm North of Holborn Hd.TLB launched at 18.40 and established a tow with the vessel and towed in at 1940hrs.

27Dec - Angling boat Harbrran reported engine failure at position 1nm NE of Dunnet Hd to duty officer at Scrabster,who launched lifeboat.Launched at 1246hrs and arrived  on scene at 1325hrs where a tow was established and the vessel and 2 anglers were towed safely back to Scrabster at 14 55 hrs.