Fishing crew rescued from sea

Two crew were recovered from the sea overnight and taken to hospital after a fishing vessel ran into trouble in the early hours.

Shetland Coastguard received a mayday call at 2.55am from the vessel, Diamond, reporting a position and that they had hit rocks and were going over. No further radio contact was made.

The coastguard helicopter was scrambled from Sumburgh and the coastguard requested the launch of Aith lifeboat to help with the recovery at West Burrafirth.

Three fishing vessels in the area also responded to the coastguard and a local vessel, Diana Maxwell, recovered one man from the water and administered CPR. A second man was recovered aboard the Aith RNLI lifeboat and both men were airlifted by helicopter to Gilbert Bain Hospital.

Elizabeth Atia, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Aith, said: “The scallop fishing boat Diamond had struck a rock on approach to the West Burrafirth pier on the west side of Shetland and she quickly capsized and sank. There were two people on board.

“Another fishing vessel, the Diane Maxwell, was quickly on scene and recovered the first casualty from the water and administered CPR. The Walls volunteer Coastguard shore team were also on scene.

“When the lifeboat arrived a life raft was found inflated, but empty. The Aith lifeboat crew recovered the second casualty, who was wearing a survival suit, from the water. The casualty was wrapped in blankets and kept warm.

“The two vessels made their way to the West Burrafirth pier where both casualties were transferred to the Coastguard helicopter with a paramedic on board and flown to Lerwick for emergency medical assistance.

“The Aith lifeboat was back at the Aith pier, refuelled and ready for service by 5.40am.”