Fishing boat runs aground off Hoy as 17 people airlifted to safety

A major rescue mission was launched, and 17 people were airlifted to safety after a fishing boat ran aground off Orkney.

Coastguard and lifeboat crews were called to the Old Man of Hoy around 6.30am on Thursday after a Spanish fishing vessel, Genesis, hit the rocks.

A rescue helicopter airlifted 17 crew members from the vessel after a Mayday was issued requesting assistance to evacuate those on board.

17 people have been airlifted from a fishing vessel that ran aground Fraser Retson

A westerly swell breaking over the vessel made it unsafe for the crew to be evacuated by boat.

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.

Two other local vessels also responded, as did a maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Air Force.

All of those airlifted to safety by the helicopter from Stornoway were taken to Kirkwall Airport.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are also said to be in attendance.

The HM Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) has been dispatched, and the HM Coastguard Counter Pollution team and other relevant authorities have been informed, a spokesperson said.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “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, October 1, 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.”