Wick Coastguard Rescues. 

Lossiemouth Seine-net boat Swiftsure

As reported in an unknown newspaper dated 4th September 1959

"Before Lossie boat was refloated at Wick."

Just over five hours after being refloated from rocks on which she grounded in dense fog in Wick Bay early yesterday morning, the Lossiemouth seine-net motor boat Swiftsure returned to her home port last night - apparently undamaged.

When his vessel grounded just after 2 a.m. at a point east of the North Head Swimming Pool and within sight of the harbour, Swiftsure's skipper Mr Alfred Gault, sent out a radio distress message.  It was picked up by two other Lossiemouth boats fishing off Wick - the Sublime, skippered by Mr Joe Gault, a brother of the Swiftsure's skipper, and the Renown, skippered by Mr William Farquhar.

As both vessels crept through thick fog to the scene, the coastguards - alerted by Wick radio - called out the lifeboat and lifesaving apparatus crew.  The sea was dead calm at the time and skipper Gault and his crew of six of the Swiftsure took their small boat.  When they found that their vessel was apparently undamaged, they reboarded her to await daybreak.  Wick lifeboat stood by.

When the fog cleared, it revealed Swiftsure - which had grounded at ebb tide - high and dry on a shelf of rock.  After the arrival of the Sublime and the Renown, it was decided to try and refloat the stranded vessel at mid-day high tide.  This attempt proved successful.

This picture is reproduced from the John O'Groat Journal newspaper - with kind permission. Swiftsure on the rocks at  Wick Harbour. (Click on picture for larger size)

While the two other Lossiemouth boats left for the fishing grounds, Swiftsure returned to Wick Harbour.  Shortly afterwards skipper Gault set course for his home port.   After a thorough check-over the vessel was passed "A1" - and will leave for the fishing grounds as usual on Monday.

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