RAF and Coastguard aircraft scrambled to Orkney as boat carrying 17 issues Mayday

RAF and Coastguard aircraft scrambled to Orkney as boat carrying 17 issues Mayday Seventeen people were airlifted to safety by a rescue helicopter after a Mayday was issued from a fishing boat that had run aground off Orkney A major rescue mission was launched earlier today after a fishing boat ran aground off the coast of Orkney, with 17 people airlifted to safety. Coastguard and lifeboat crews were called to the incident after the fishing vessel issued a Mayday alert at around 6.30am near the island of Hoy. The RNLI lifeboat from Stromness, Coastguard helicopters from Sumburgh and Stornoway, and the Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the scene. A maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Air Force also responded along with two other vessels. Lifeboat crews were unable to evacuate crew members by boat as a westerly swell breaking over the vessel made it unsafe to attempt an ocean rescue. Instead the crew were airlifted off the stricken vessel and taken taken to Kirkwall Airport. STV reports that Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service were also in attendance. Other specialist units have also been dispatched, including the HM Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) and the HM Coastguard Counter Pollution team. The Scottish Ambulance Service said in a statement: “We received a call at 7.35am to attend an incident at Kirkwall Airport. “Three ambulances were dispatched, and 17 patients were assessed and discharged at the scene.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.45am on Thursday, 1 October, 2026 police received a report that a fishing vessel had run aground near Orkney. “Seventeen people were rescued from the vessel and there were no reported injuries. “Enquiries are ongoing.”