Major search operation for crew of capsized vessel

A major search operation is being co-ordinated by Shetland Coastguard in search of crew of a capsized cargo vessel in the Pentland Firth.

Four lifeboats, two rescue helicopters and other vessels are searching for the crew of the Cypriot-registered Cemfjord, a cargo ship, reported to be carrying cement.

The upturned hull of the 83metre vessel was found by the NorthLink passenger ferry the Hrossey, this afternoon.

Shetland Coastguard was contacted by the ferry crew at 2.30pm to report that the hull of the cargo vessel had been found, but there were no survivors in the immediate vicinity.

The cargo vessel was last seen at 1pm yesterday. Eight crew were on board.

At about 5.20pm, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said, the Wick, Thurso, Longhope and Stromness RNLI lifeboats, the coastguard rescue helicopter from Shetland and the RAF rescue helicopter, along with other vessels in the area were searching for the crew, east of the Pentland Firth.

Bill Farquhar from the Wick RNLI station, told the BBC: “We got a call this afternoon about two o’clock that the Shetland ferry – the Hrossey – she had spotted the hull of a coaster upside down 10 miles east of Pentland Skerries.

“The last known position on marine traffic was at quarter past one yesterday, so that was the last known position we had of the ship.

“The weather at that time yesterday was pretty, pretty, bad.”

He added: “I don’t know what happened after that and I don’t think anyone does to tell you the truth.”

The website flightradar24.com is tracking the coastguard helicopter CG 102.
The website flightradar24.com is tracking the coastguard helicopter CG 102 as it searches for the stricken Cemfjord.

ONE COMMENT

Add Your Comment
  • Rafael Power

    • January 4th, 2015 3:22

    Was this photo taken whilst it was still sinking or is it still sitting bow first like that?

    REPLY

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.