A sailor has been left injured and their boat completely destroyed after the vessel caught fire off the Aberdeenshire coast. The captain was forced to abandon ship shortly before 3pm on Monday, May 15, after flames took hold of the craft near Dunnottar Castle.
HM Coastguard sent their rescue helicopter to the scene while the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Stonehaven raced to help the casualty. They were found floating in a small dingy floating near their burning boat before being taken to shore where an ambulance was waiting.
A statement from RNLI Stonehaven said: “About 2.50pm, 15th May 2023 the “Jamie Hunter” and Aberdeen Lifeboat RNLI were tasked to a boat on fire just off Dunnottar Castle. Stonehaven inshore lifeboat launched immediately and traced a casualty in a small dingy floating near the burning boat.
“The casualty was assessed and taken back to Stonehaven Harbour where an ambulance was waiting to treat the casualty, who had minor injuries. The lifeboats stayed on scene to monitor whilst the vessel burned.
“Sad to see such a fabulous vessel burn but thankfully no one was seriously hurt.”
A spokesman for HM Coastguard added: “The Coastguard helicopter from Aberdeen was sent but returned to base after the casualty was picked up by the RNLI.
“The Stonehaven Coastguard Rescue Team and a crew from the Scottish Ambulance Service were sent to meet the lifeboat at Stonehaven harbour. Montrose Coastguard Rescue Team went to Dunnottar to make the scene safe where the boat washed up.“
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