Search for missing seamen suspended
A major search effort was mounted after the upturned hull of the Cypriot-registered Cemfjord was spotted in the waters of the Pentland Firth, north of Scotland, on Saturday.
Lifeboats were stood down in the afternoon and returned to shore. Helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, fixed wing aircraft and HMS Somerset continued to search until last light.
There has been no sign of the eight crew members, made up of seven Poles and one Filipino.
The 83m bulk cement carrier, which had been bound for Runcorn, Cheshire, on the west coast of the UK, sank below the water earlier this afternoon.
The coastguard will continue to broadcast messages to all shipping requesting that they are informed about any information or sightings that could be related to the vessel.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed and is about to begin work on the investigation.
The families of the missing crew have been notified.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the search had involved two helicopters and four lifeboats, assisted by coastguard rescue teams from Kirkwall, St Margaret’s Hope, Duncansby, Scrabster and Wick.
HMS Somerset and its helicopter also joined the search. RNLI lifeboats covered an area of 200sq miles until they were stood down early this afternoon.
Andrew Ashton, RNLI divisional operations manager, said: “The RNLI crews from Thurso, Wick, Longhope and Stromness have worked tirelessly to search a massive area.
“This has been a challenging operation for all our RNLI volunteers and the other rescue organisations involved and our thoughts are very much with the missing men and their families at this time.”
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the missing crew at this difficult time.
“Marine Scotland and the Scottish government stand ready to assist if required.”
The last confirmed sighting of the ship was at about 1pm on Friday.
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