The crew from HM Coastguard Stornoway airlifted 17 people to safety from a fishing vessel that ran aground at the Old Man of Hoy yesterday (Thursday 1 October).

The helicopter crew were part of a multi-agency response to a report the boat had run aground in Orkney just after 6.30am.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch have begun conducting inquiries into the incident, with their website reporting that a “preliminary assessment” is underway.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) gave details of the accident and the emergency response.

He said: “Just after 6.30am on 1 October, HM Coastguard received a report that a fishing vessel with 17 people on board had gone aground at the Old Man of Hoy, Orkney Islands and was in need of immediate assistance. No injuries were reported.

“The vessel also issued a Mayday asking for assistance to evacuate the people on board. The RNLI lifeboat from Stromness was sent and the HM Coastguard helicopters from Sumburgh and Stornoway and the Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope Coastguard Rescue Teams. Two other local vessels also responded as did a maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Air Force.

“All 17 people were airlifted to safety by the helicopter from Stornoway and taken to Kirkwall.”

Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service also attended.

The HM Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel was dispatched and the HM Coastguard Counter Pollution team and other relevant authorities were informed.

The emergency towing vessel Ievoli Black stayed on the scene overnight and into the morning, returning to Kirkwall later on Friday.

The counter pollution team were closely monitoring the situation and leasing with the vessel’s owners and relevant authorities.

At the time of writing on Friday afternoon, the vessel remained aground and there was no sign of any oil pollution or associated debris.

The MCA spokesman added: “Close monitoring will continue until the vessel’s salvage is completed.”