off Shetland - A Norwegian solo sailor abandons his 9 m yacht as she takes on water in a rising southeasterly
Lerwick lifeboat reached him 14 nautical miles east of Whalsay. A trawler stood by to give shelter while he was taken off. The yacht was left drifting east of Out Skerries.
What happened.
On 30 September 2026 a Norwegian sailor crossing alone from Bergen in a 9 m yacht found her taking on more and more water in strong southeasterly winds and heavy swell, about 14 nautical miles east of Whalsay, Shetland. Lerwick lifeboat took him off, uninjured, while a trawler gave shelter. The yacht was abandoned.
On 30 September 2026 a Norwegian sailor was crossing the North Sea alone from Bergen towards Shetland in a 9 m yacht registered in Maloy. Conditions were deteriorating, with strong southeasterly winds and a heavy swell, and the yacht began taking on increasing amounts of water. Lerwick RNLI lifeboat launched at about 14:30 and reached the yacht roughly 14 nautical miles east of Whalsay by 16:00. The fishing trawler Hargun positioned herself to give the yacht shelter from the wind while the sailor was transferred to the lifeboat. He was landed at Lerwick by about 17:30, uninjured, and handed over to the coastguard. The yacht was left behind and was last reported drifting east of Out Skerries. What caused the water ingress has not been reported. The case shows how a small leak that a solo sailor could manage in calm water becomes a reason to leave the boat once the weather turns and there is no one to share the pumping, the steering and the decisions.
What it teaches.
- 1
- 2A transfer from a yacht to a lifeboat in heavy swell is the dangerous moment. Follow the coxswain's instructions, wear your lifejacket and harness, and take only what you need.
- 3Before a solo North Sea crossing, check the forecast for the whole passage, not just departure day. A southeasterly building against you can turn a manageable problem into an abandonment.
Where this comes from.
SeaWise indexes and links to primary sources; it does not host their reports or media. Crew are referred to by role unless documented consent is on file.
Procedures involved.
More like this.
Share your story.
SeaWise records are richer when survivors and crewmates contribute what they remember. Submissions are private by default — your name and contact never appear on the public record.
Submit a story