Adrift Cargo Ship Now Under Tow Off Scotland

MV Skog adrift in the North Sea, November 24, 2015. Photo: Shetland Coastguard Helicopter

A 99-meter cargo ship is under tow the North Sea off the Scotland’s Orkney Islands after the ship lost power in heavy weather.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency says that the Barbados-flagged Skog reported Tuesday morning that it was adrift and taking on water with a cargo of paper. The Coastguard dispatched a rescue helicopter to the scene and requested the assistance of two RNLI lifeboats from Stromness and Kirkwall. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s emergency towing vessel, ETV Herakles, was also sent to the scene as well as the UK-flagged emergency response vessel Vos Hera.

The coast guard reports that ten crew members remain on board the Skog and pumps have transferred to the cargo ship.

The Skog has taken a tow line from the ETV Herakles and is being taken to Kirkwall Harbour for repairs.

At the time of update, the Skog was in a position 6.5 nautical miles east, north east from the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, according to the coast guard.

Conditions on scene are reported to be moderate to rough seas.

Some video of the cargo ship can be seen on the MCA’s website HERE.

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