COASTGUARD and lifeboat teams had to tow a cargo vessel to safety after it developed a steering fault in high seas.

The Barbados-registered Wilson Gdynia got into difficulty 20 miles west of Skerryvore Lighthouse, south-west of Tiree yesterday.

Stornoway Coastguard was alerted to the incident just before 10.30am and Barra RNLI lifeboat called out. A tug was organised to bring the boat ashore to safety.

The eight crew remained on board the vessel, which was transporting wood chips, during the operation.

Coastguard watch manager Carol Collins said: "The weather on scene is a concern with gale force winds and high sea."