Grounding of Cargo Vessel Fri Sea at Corpach, Fort William

  Grounding of Cargo Vessel Fri Sea at Corpach, Fort William

The Fri Sea, a cargo vessel got stranded during docking manoeuvres at Corpach, close to Fort William. I didn't have to go far for these images as this all happened just a couple of hundred yards from my home.

The vessel got blown onto the beach at Corpach during gale force winds.
Another vessel which was already moored at the Corpach port attempted to tow the stricken vessel of the sand band on Sunday mornings high tide but was unsuccessful.

A tug contracted by the ship’s owners arrived at the scene that night and set up a tow line, before pulling the vessel free at high water at 8pm.
Luckily no damage was done and there were no injuries.



An attempt was made by the  Burhou I to tow the Fri Sea off the beach on the Sunday morning's high tide but was unsuccessful



The  Burhou I returning to her berth after the failed attempt to tow the Fri Sea off the Corpach beach

The Fri Sea became an attraction for local people as the tide went out and locals were able to walk out to the vessel.

The people on the sand around the vessel gives some impression of scale

               

The sand and mud helps to minimize damage to the Fri Sea



Corpach port used to load timber onto the cargo vessels

 

The Fri Sea beached with the entrance to the Caledonian Canal in the background

The Fri Sea still grounded at High Tide

My wife Sue next to the hull to give an idea of the size of this ship.

The front thruster used while attempting to re-float the ship moved a large amount of sand.

A three image panorama used to get the whole of the ship into the frame