Orkney Image Library

Spring Tide 1

John Hay's boat "Spring Tide" ashore on rocks called "Spencie" on the north east corner of Odiness Bay, Stronsay. John was dredging for clams off Odiness Bay on Friday 11th December, 2009, and when darkness fell, he packed up his gear, and as he went to head for Kirkwall for the night, he got a rope in his prop, and within a few minutes was ashore on the rocks. He called the coastguards and got into his liferaft, but in the dark he couldn't see if he was on a skerry or on the shore. The liferaft was on top of the wheelhouse one moment, and out over the rocks the next. He eventually stepped out onto the rocks amd made his way in the dark up over the rocks to where he could see someone heading for the shore on a quad bike. This was the local farmer from Odiness, Patto Dennison. The rescue helicopter arrived soon after and landed in the field. John was then airlifted to Kirkwall, and despite his protest that he was O.K., was taken to the Balfour Hospital for a check-up and released. He did find it comforting to see six of the Kirkwall Coastguards greeting him at the airport. He would have preferred them at Odiness Bay, but the Stronsay coastguards have been disbanded in the interests of health and safety! The boat is expected to be a total loss. I have some more photos of her from different angles which I will submit.
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