News / Drifting cargo ship
SHETLAND coastguard has sent the Orkney-based emergency tug north to keep an eye on a 130 metre long cargo ship with 13 crew on board that lost power and started drifting in rough seas north west of Foula in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The 8,000 tonne Industrial Kennedy was transporting a load of steel pipes from Gibralter to Orkanger in Norway when she got into trouble.
The German owners of the vessel Concord Shipping are trying to charter a commercial tug to take the freighter under tow.
In the meantime the coastguard has dispatched the emergency towing vessel Herakles to stand by 160 miles north west of Foula, in case the vessel starts to drift too close to some of the oil installations in the area.
A coastguard spokesman said the ship put in an emergency call at 4.45am on Thursday to say she had lost power after experiencing problems with her turbo charger.
On Thursday afternoon she was drifting south east in a six metre swell, with the north westerly winds set to increase to gale force.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
