Four wildlife researchers were rescued on Sunday night after the boat they took to visit puffin colonies on a group of tiny Hebridean islands experienced some engine problems.
Stornoway Lifeboat was launched after the two crew members on board the rib, which was stuck at the mouth of Loch Erisort, raised the alarm with Stornoway Coastguard at about 8.15pm.
The lifeboat crew reached the 27ft rib and the six people on board at about 8.30pm and the vessel was towed back to Stornoway Harbour by about 9.30pm.
The boat had been returning from the Shiant Islands, a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts for the abundance of bird life, as well as seals, porpoises, dolphins and sometimes whales along the coastline.
It is unclear where the researchers were from but it is understood they have been carrying out studies on the puffin colonies on the islands.
The stricken boat is run by local filling station and outdoors shop Engebret Ltd, and was being fixed yesterday.
A Stornoway Lifeboat spokeswoman said: “It was a good turnaround as we were back in by about 9.30pm and the boat was fuelled and ready for service again at 9.55pm. Conditions were fine and everyone on the boat was OK and they were just relieved to be going home when we arrived.
“The group are over at the Shiants this week and they are researching the birds over there.”