ship capsized

[Ron Kendall]

A search is going on for the 8 crew of the cement carrier Cemfjiord, registered in Cyprus, which has been found overturned in the Pentland Firth. the Longhope RNLI and a rescue helicopter were still at he scene a few minutes ago, but there is no news of casualties as yet.

[John Albert Evans]

According to the news she was bound for Runcorn, Cheshire.

I hope the crew are safe. I only went through the Pentland Firth once and is was not very nice at all, I as on an Everards coastal tanker. 'Acuity'

John Albert Evans

[Keith Tindell]

No radio messages, and as at this time on the BBC, no EPIRB. Sounds as though it was mighty quick. Strange that the EPIRB`s were not activated as she tiurned over, fingers crossed for the crew, KT

[John Albert Evans]

I understand this is the ship....cemfjord.jpg

[Chris Allman]

The non activation of the EPIRB is certainly a mystery and begs the question did she have a fully operational one. If the sudden capsize happened during darkness when the rest of the crew was asleep and there was just a deck officer and an engineer on watch, you can perhaps understand that there was no time for a distress call and no escape for the crew. Lets hope that the crew did get away but its not looking good. This brings back memories of the SWANLAND off North Wales. She sank very quickly. Perhaps if salvage is a possibility there may be answers but in the mean time lets hope that the crew are found safe and well.

[Chris Allman]

Apparently the last AIS signal from her was received at 13.01hrs yesterday 2nd Jan, the wreck was discovered this afternoon about 1400hrs so there is a possible gap of 24hrs since she capsized. If the crew are in a life raft then they could have drifted some distance away, however if they were in the water then things are looking pretty grim.

[j.sabourn]

Been through the Pentland Firth a few times on the ore carriers on the Murmansk run. Always had to adjust timing to go through with the flood for as long as possible. One time did not calculate too good and was steaming north and going east for a time. Should imagine if had an opposing wind and tide may cause unusual conditions. For a modern day ship to overturn must have not had any sort of positive GM on sailing, unless lost due to shift of cargo. No doubt the findings of the experts will soon be with us. Sad day though. JS

[Lou Barron]

I sailed through the Pentland Firth in December1940 on my very first trip to sea going up to Cape Wrath it was very rough i was a galley boy and i was very sea sick and i swore i would never go to sea again if i would get home which i was in very much doubt at that time

[Captain Kong]

When I attended the Inquest on the `Pool Fisher` 13 dead, the Commander of the RN Survival School, Portsmouth, said,
`At a sea water temperature of 50`F, the survival time before dying of hyperthermia is five minutes, also depending on the age and fitness of the man.`
He also said, the survival of the two young 18 and 17 year old lads who did survive until rescue, around four hours, was exceptional, due to their age, fitness and body fat.
But I would think that 24 hours plus, there would be No Chance.
Every winter takes its toll around our coasts.
Brian.

[j.sabourn]

Brian I hope they can get a tangible answer to why it happened and not just a surmise. Would think unless anyone knows any different she would have been chugging along with one man on the bridge if the E.R. was automated. A lot will depend on the type of trade as per hours the crew were on. This could be a case which I am not saying is, is a lack of manpower which at present exists on shipping in general. If she went down at night with everyone turned in don't think there will be any survivors. However one can always hope. JS