A group of sailors were left red-faced after finding themselves in a spot of double trouble when their rib ran aground - and then the rescue boat sent to rescue them also got stuck.
The sailors - who work for the North Star Shipping company which provides maritime support to UK offshore businesses - were on board the rescue rib the Grampian Talisman conducting a training exercise when the engine cut out leaving them helplessly drifting near the rocky shore in Aberdeen Bay.
The company, which provide tanker assistance, survey boats, emergency response and rescue vessels to offshore operations in North West Europe, dispatched a fast rescue vessel to help the stranded vessel.
But the second rescue boat also became caught up in the rapidly receding tide - leaving both boats stuck on the rocks near Torry lighthouse.
Grampian Fire and Rescue and the Aberdeen Coastguard were called to help the stranded boats but stood down when the sailors were confirmed as being safely ashore.
A spokesman said: 'We were unable to get near the boats because of their position on the rocks.
'Then we received confirmation that everyone was safely ashore and we returned to the station.'
Engineers spent a number of hours discussing how to lift the boats off the rocks and decided to wait till high tide to float them back to the harbour.
A spokeswoman for North Star Shipping said: 'Engine failures unfortunately occur but the important thing is that our crew members involved are all uninjured having handled the situation calmly, effective and professionally.
'We now have to wait for the right sea conditions to recover the crafts safely.'
SOURCE: www.dailymail.co.uk
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