News / Lucky to be alive
A PROFESSIONAL seaman who sparked a major search and rescue operation in Lerwick harbour last night was fined £700 for being three times the legal limit while in charge of a boat.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that Alexander Manson was lucky to be alive after he fell into the harbour from the small boat Solan at about 2.30am in Friday morning.
Appearing from custody before honary sheriff Eric Peterson on Friday, 24-year old Manson, of 6 Fullaburn, Bressay, pled guilty to the charge.
The court heard that it was by pure chance that somebody walking their dog in the middle of the night had heard Manson’s shouts for help.
The marine engineer had spent the evening in Lerwick with friends and since the last ferry had long gone decided to take the small boat to cross the harbour to the island of Bressay.
Manson fell overboard his 28 feet boat when he tried to retrieve something that had fallen into the water.
Failing to climb back into the boat he could only cling to some ropes and shout for help.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said: “I am not exaggerating that this young man is lucky to be here today and not in a mortuary because of his stupidity.”
Lerwick lifeboat and volunteers from the Lerwick coastguard team were called at around 2.30 am.
They assisted Manson to climb from the water near the Shetland Catch fish factory, at the north end of the harbour.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client fully acknowledged how lucky he was, and added that Manson would also make a donation to the lifeboat.
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