Sixteen Sinking Swedish Sea Scouts saved by quick acting Brits

by Sail-World Cruising on 6 Jul 2010 The crew of a Scandinavian yacht, including a party of teenage Scouts, were rescued yesterday after their vessel threatened to sink in heavy seas off the north east coast of Scotland.

All 16 crew on board the Swedish training vessel, Biscaya Av Vindalso, made it safely ashore on board their yacht following a rescue mission involving an RAF search and rescue helicopter, a lifeboat and a North Sea support vessel.

The 40ft yacht, which was taking in water 12 miles off Fraserburgh, was saved from sinking after a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth lowered pumping equipment on to the training vessel which was then helped to the safety of Fraserburgh harbour by the local RNLI lifeboat and the rig support vessel Maersk Advancer.

The drama began shortly before midnight when Aberdeen Coastguard picked up a mayday message from the crew.

The Fraserburgh lifeboat was launched and a search and rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth scrambled. The Maersk Advancer also went to the aid of the yacht.

A spokesman for Aberdeen Coastguard said: 'The people on board managed to stop the ingress of water themselves and the vessel was pumped out after the helicopter lowered the pumps on board.

'There were 15 Swedish people and one Norwegian on board - young people and their instructors.'

He added: 'The conditions were very poor at the time. There were gale force 8 winds and three and a half metre seas.'

Coastguard watch manager George Downie said 'Because the vessel had the right safety equipment on board and knew how to use it they were able to quickly call for help when they needed it. This, alongside the skill of the RNLI and RAF crews, saved the vessel from sinking.'

He also added, 'I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the Maersk Advancer for its assistance tonight.'

Artur Larsson 45, from Gothenburg, the skipper of the yacht, said: 'It was quite rough out there. We got a leak and had to call a mayday. Some guys came out with a helicopter, lifeboat and pumps to help keep us floating then escorted us into the harbour.

'We got a lot of help very quickly. Everybody is okay, the boys and girls are all feeling fine. They are all very keen to move on. We are relaxing today while the boat is being prepared.'

The Swedish crew had left Gothenburg on 13 June and were on their way to Inverness to travel to Oban along the Caledonian Canal when the yacht got into difficulties.

A coastguard spokesman said a number of smaller vessels had got into difficulties due to the recent 'unseasonable' weather.

Fraserburgh harbour master Andrew Ironside said: 'The boat was taking in water and there was concern that it might have been quite serious. There was a fair strength of wind so the seas would have been choppy. The crew got in safely between 4 and 5am and the vessel is now berthed safely at the quay.'