Yacht towed to safety

A yacht with one man onboard suffered engine failure in rough seas and high waves off the Western Isles.

The 14 metre-long craft called Miss Ellie was able to use her sails but the maritime emergency agencies were worried she could run into trouble with the adverse weather conditions affecting the Minch in the early afternoon.

Stornoway lifeboat escorted the yacht as it slowly made way to partial shelter in the lee off Chicken Head off Point.

Hampered by a heavy, rolling swell the lifeboat crew got a line across.

The lifeboat towed the vessel to the safety of Stornoway harbour.

Yacht towed to safety

10 January 2016