An accidental mistake by a passenger caused a 102ft tall ship to be towed by Oban lifeboat yesterday morning.
The brigantine square rigger, Lady of Avenel, had difficulties with its engine in the Sound of Kerrera, off the popular west Highland town.
The sailing ship had 17 people on board when the incident happened just after 7.40am.
Stefan Fritz, owner of the Lady of Avenel, said the tall ship had arrived back from taking passengers on a wild swimming trip.
“We had dropped anchor, but unknown to us one of our guests accidentally pulled the engine stop,” he said.
“While we tried to find the problem, we contacted the coastguard who sent the lifeboat at Oban for assistance.
“They initially set up a tow, but then we managed to get the engine going and arrived at Oban pier under our own steam.
“I would like to congratulate both the Oban RNLI crew and the coastguard at Stornoway for the professional way they came to our assistance.”
Mr Fritz said his tall ship was built in 1968 and is a replica of a 1875 brigantine.
“We are leaving for Barra next on another wild swim trip,” he added.
A Stornoway Coastguard spokesman said: “We received a call from the tall ship to say there were problems with the engine.
“It was anchored off the island of Kerrera at the time.
“We called the Oban lifeboat to assist and the crew towed the vessel towards the town. But she managed to get going under her own steam and arrived safely at the harbour.”
A RNLI spokesman in Oban said the lifeboat, Mora Edith MacDonald, left its berth at 7.55 am to make the short journey to Kerrera.
He added: “The vessel was close to the island’s ferry slip where it had anchored inshore.
“A tow line was established and, because of the ship’s location, it was initially towed further south to give enough sea room to allow a turn to be made towards Oban.
“But while under tow, the crew managed to restore power to the engine and were therefore able to proceed under their own power, escored by the lifeboat.
“The ship arrived at the transit marina at Oban’s North Pier where members of the town’s coastguard team were on hand to render assistance.”