Scottish rescue mission as man found clinging to capsized boat 'by his fingertips' in freezing waters

Lifeboat crews have rescued a man found clinging to the side of an overturned boat “by his fingertips” off the north coast of Scotland.

After rescuing the man, crews towed the 18 foot cabin cruiser back to the harbour | Thurso Lifeboat

The team at Thurso RNLI said it launched a lifeboat, The Taylors, at 2.14pm on Saturday after the coastguard was alerted to a capsized boat off Holborn Head, near Scrabster.

The lifeboat arrived about four minutes later. Crews discovered a man, who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, “clinging onto the side of the boat by their fingertips”.

Crews towed the overturned vessel back to land | Thurso Lifeboat

The man was treated inside the lifeboat for symptoms of hypothermia. The lifeboat then sped back to land.

A coastguard helicopter was deployed and paramedics examined the casualty on board the lifeboat, before the man was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The lifeboat crew then returned to the scene to recover the upturned boat and towed the vessel back to Scrabster, where it was lifted out of the water by harbour staff.

A spokesperson said: “RNLI would like to thank the members of the public who raised the alarm by phoning 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

“Time was of an essence in these circumstances, especially as the lone occupant was not wearing a life jacket.

The boat was lifted out of the water at Scrabster | Thurso Lifeboat

“We would like to remind members of the public not to hesitate to report something they think is wrong and also remind anyone going to sea, especially alone, to wear appropriate safety clothing and carry some means of communicating with others.

“This rescue highlights how different services can work together in an emergency.”