Eight rescued after two fishing boats collide in North Sea off Scotland

A search and rescue (SAR) boat and a helicopter from the UK’s HM Coastguard came to the aid of eight fishers who abandoned their vessel as it sank following a collision with another fishing boat in the North Sea off Scotland on Thursday, October 6.

The collision between the whitefish trawlers Guiding Star and Guiding Light, both operated by Peterhead-based seafood company Marrfish, occurred some 45 nautical miles south-east of Shetland at approximately 12:00 local time on Thursday.

The eight-strong crew of Guiding Star sent out a mayday and eventually took to their liferaft as the trawler sank following the collision.

A spokesperson for the coastguard confirmed that all eight crew were safely picked up by the SAR boat and the helicopter.

Another coastguard official said the presence of an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) aboard Guiding Star helped ensure the quick and successful conclusion of the rescue operation.