Sailors' drink scotched on rocks

The island's owners have opened a pub

A party of sailors had to be rescued after a boat ran aground on the way to a pub on a Scottish island.

The publican's boat struck a rock while taking the 11 Navy personnel from Portsmouth-based HMS Southampton to the island of Sanda, off Kintyre.

The sailors, the publican and the publican's dog Ben were rescued in an operation involving the warship's diving team, who were out practising in their own boats.

Lieutenant Commander Monty Long said the only danger they had faced was getting wet.

The 30-ft motor vessel Dakala Mist ran into difficulties shortly before 2100 BST on Wednesday.

Clyde Coastguard received a call from the captain to say he had gone aground at Patterson Rock, east of Sanda.

Campbeltown lifeboat was launched to deal with the incident.

We were fortunate that our two boats were nearby with divers exploring the rocks who were able to respond immediately

Lieutenant Commander Monty Long

Those on board the Dakala Mist were transferred to the lifeboat and then two of the warship's own boats, which were in the area.

Coastguard district controller John Griffiths said: "The coastguard rescue teams were stood down as they were not needed."

Lieutenant Commander Long, who was leading the expedition, said the crew were unruffled by the incident.

He said: "There was no panic, the only danger we faced was getting wet and the disappointment of not having a night out on Sanda.

"We were fortunate that our two boats were nearby with divers exploring the rocks who were able to respond immediately."

Sanda was notorious for shipwrecks

The Dakala Mist was expected to be refloated and assessed for damage on Thursday.

The island was notorious for shipwrecks for centuries.

Sanda was uninhabited until recently, but sole residents and owners Dick and Meg Gannon have converted a cottage into a bar in an attempt to attract passing sailors.

People from both Scotland and Ireland have been visiting the Byron Darnton Tavern, which opened last month.

The pub is named after the American Liberty ship which went ashore near the island's lighthouse in March 1946.

All 54 people on board and a husky dog were rescued by the Campbeltown lifeboat.