22 May, 2009

A SMALL Shetland fishing boat had to beach itself this afternoon (Friday) after she started taking in water off the islands’ south mainland.

Edwin Leslie, of Scatness, was steaming the 25ft Leona Jane towards his lobster creels at Horse Island, off Sumburgh Head, just before 2pm when his bilge alarm went off after a pipe burst in the water cooling system.

Shetland coastguard’s Rescue 102 helicopter was scrambled and the Lerwick lifeboat was launched, but before the boat filled with water Mr Leslie managed to beach her on the sand at West Voe.

While he was ashore he managed to fix the pipe and pump out the water and refloating the vessel at high tide around 5.30pm to head for the Ness marina.

“It’s one of the hazards of the job,” he said.