Photo by Archie Fergusson

THREE fishermen were rescued by helicopter after their boat ran aground off Innellan on Friday evening.
The crew from the Campbeltown-registered vessel were winched to safety by a Royal Navy helicopter during the incident which was reported around 9.20pm.

 

Clyde Coastguard sent the Dunoon Coastguard Rescue team to the scene and requested the launch of the Largs RNLI lifeboat. The rescue helicopter from Prestwick was also sent.
Richard Morgans, Watch Manager, Clyde Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said on Friday: “The crew of the fishing vessel have now been winched to safety and will be taken to Battery Park, Greenock.
“The vessel is now hard aground. Counter Pollution and the MAIB have been informed and the situation is being monitored, currently the risk of pollution is small.”

One witness said: “At first the crew didn't want to come off but when the helicopter arrived they were all taken off the ship.
“They had apparently put their anchor out, but to no avail. Then they put out their nets, but this didn't work either, and they ran aground.
“They seem to have lost their catch as the shore was covered in langoustines in the morning, but there was no visible sign of any diesel contamination.”
The vessel was still aground on Saturday, but with the advent of better weather on Sunday, attempts were made to salvage the craft. With a diver in attendance, a small workboat assisting and another fishing vessel standing by, the vessel was pulled off the rocks and righted after pumping out.
One man assisting with Sunday's salvage operation said that on initial inspection, there didn't appear to be too much damage, and that pumping out seemed to be successful so far. He advised that they hoped to tow the vessel to Toward where she would be assessed for damages.
It is understood that the vessel may have sustained a gearbox failure, but this has not been confirmed by anyone on board.

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