Fishermen abandon sinking trawler 10/12/10
Three fishermen had a fortunate escape after their prawn trawler sank in the Minch today.
The skipper of the 17.5 metre long MFV Enterprise of Gairloch urgently called Stornoway Coastguard for an extra pump as the vessel’s own was not coping with rapid flooding.
But they abandoned ship onto a nearby fishing boat which went to their assistance between Harris and North Skye before the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter had a chance to land the pump.
The water was rising out of control and it was too dangerous for the men to remain on board.