A north-east fishing boat that featured on a reality television show about life at sea had to be rescued by a lifeboat yesterday.
Crew onboard the Amity II, which starred in the popular TV show Trawlermen, raised the alarm after suffering engine difficulties in the early hours of the morning.
The boat was towed to Northbay on the Isle of Barra.
The Barra lifeboat had to be called to the scene of the 62ft prawn boat – 17 miles south of the island – at about 2.15am.
But its skipper, Peterhead man Jimmy Buchan – who appeared regularly on Trawlermen and has become a local celebrity as a result – was not aboard.
Mr Buchan, who has over 30 years of experience at sea, said he had been unaware of the boat being in danger as he is on holiday.
“It’s news to me,” he said.
“I see she’s back out of Barra, but I wasn’t on the boat – I’m on holiday. I saw on marine traffic that she was in Barra, but she looks to be back out, so I don’t know what the reason is behind it.
“These electronic engines can be problematic, and when they go down they can’t be overridden.”
Mr Buchan and the crew of the 62ft vessel were regularly featured on the BBC1 hit which was narrated by actor Peter Capaldi, now of Dr Who fame.
The programme, watched by millions, featured Mr Buchan fishing for prawns and fish in the North Sea, including the dangerous Devil’s Hole.
Other scenes showed how his catch was sold at Peterhead fish market and where his fish ended up such as top hotels and restaurants throughout the world.
Mr Buchan also wrote the book Trawlermen.