A timber-carrying ship from Latvia has had to call out UK rescue services for the second time in a year.
The 2219-tonne Silver Fox was en route from Riga to Liverpool on January 6 when its timber cargo shifted in force nine gales off the Isle of Barra in the Hebrides.
The Barra lifeboat was called out to help the 10-man crew after the ship began to list and helicopters were put on standby in case it had to be abandoned. The coastguard described the situation as “very serious”.
In the event, the Silver Fox, listing 50o, limped under its own power into Castlebay harbour in Barra.
On January 11 last year, the Sea Fox was towed into Falmouth harbour when it lost power after an engine room fire.