The captain of a fishing vessel that ran aground off Orkney has thanked the emergency services who airlifted all 17 people on board to safety. Captain Alejandro Abuin Prado said he feared the Genesis might capsize after it struck rocks near the Old Man of Hoy early in the morning.
A multi-agency rescue operation was launched just after 6.30am following a mayday call from the Spanish-owned, UK-flagged vessel. The 30-metre longliner had been heading to Scrabster with 28 tonnes of fish on board when it ran aground off the west coast of Hoy.
Captain Prado, who has been with the Genesis for two years, said he was «very grateful» to the emergency services. He thanked them for the rescue and for the way they helped him and his 16-strong crew off the vessel. There were no injuries, and after landing at Kirkwall Airport the crew were taken to a hotel in the town.
The operation involved the RNLI lifeboat from Stromness, HM Coastguard helicopters from Sumburgh and Stornoway, and the land-based Kirkwall and St Margaret's Hope Coastguard Rescue Teams. Two other local vessels also responded, along with a Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.
Captain Prado told The Orcadian he believed a miscommunication on board had caused the grounding. Asked what would happen to the vessel, he said: «I don't know,» but hoped she could be made safe and moved from the rocks. The coastguard vessel Ievoli Black is currently at the scene.
The Genesis has been a controversial presence in Shetland waters over recent years. Although she is UK-registered, she is Spanish-owned and crewed. The vessel was reported for an attack on the Shetland trawler Mizpah in June 2021 when she crossed the bow and came within three metres. At the time, Mizpah's skipper highlighted how foreign vessels were ganging up on the local fleet to close off vast areas of the seas for their own use.
The rescue operation drew a rapid response from multiple agencies, reflecting the challenging conditions off Hoy's west coast. The Old Man of Hoy, a famous sea stack, stands near the site of the grounding, an area known for its rugged coastline and strong currents.
Local vessels that assisted in the operation have not been named, but their participation alongside the RNLI and coastguard helicopters was crucial in ensuring the safe evacuation of all crew members. The RAF maritime patrol aircraft provided additional support from the air.
The Genesis remains aground, and it is unclear when or how she might be refloated. The coastguard vessel Ievoli Black is standing by at the scene, and authorities are monitoring the situation. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has not yet commented on the incident.
The crew, all of whom are Spanish, were accommodated in Kirkwall following their ordeal. The captain's gratitude was echoed by local emergency responders, who praised the coordination between the various teams involved.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by fishing crews operating in northern waters, particularly during poor weather or when communication breaks down on board. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation, but the captain's account points to a possible misunderstanding among the crew.
No pollution has been reported from the vessel, which was carrying 28 tonnes of fish. The environmental impact of the grounding is being assessed, though early indications suggest no significant leakage.
The Genesis's controversial history in Shetland waters may resurface as a result of the incident, but for now the focus remains on the safe recovery of the vessel and the well-being of its crew. The captain expressed hope that the Genesis could be salvaged and moved away from the rocks without further incident.