Dramatic overhead photographs have shown a fishing trawler sinking slowly beneath the North Sea’s waves after striking an infamous “black spot.”
Monday morning, the Ocean Maid BA55 sank after running aground off the coast of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Using a life raft and a lifeboat, four crew members were able to escape the sinking ship just in time.
Monday at 5.56 a.m., the Fraserburgh Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reacted to the distress call and guided the crew to safety.
The ship had not been on its voyage for very long when it ran into problems, entering a “famous dark spot” near Cairnbulg Beacon that has supposedly claimed the lives of countless ships in previous years.
The Ocean Maid now rests mere metres apart from the shipwrecked Sovereign BF380, which crashed into Cairnbulg cliffs in 2005.
Aerial footage of the ship Water Maid shows it capsized next to a buoy, giving it the unsettling look of plunging into the ocean.
Since then, the RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat has revealed how the rescue was executed.
In a Facebook post, they stated, “Fraserburgh RNLI was requested to launch this morning by HM Coastguard and responded at 5:56 a.m. to a fishing vessel that had grounded near Cairnbulg Beacon.”
Four members of the boat’s crew boarded a life raft before being rescued by a lifeboat and taken onshore.
The vessel ran aground at a renowned black spot where numerous ships have sunk over the years, and just yards away from where the Sovereign ran aground in 2005.
The statement was backed by many photographs depicting the wreckage shrouded in mist and fog as it sank.
The somber photographs depict a swarm of birds sitting atop the Sovereign, observing the sinking ship.
After delivering the crew to safety, the rescue team smiled for the camera in another photograph.
The tweet elicited enthusiastic replies from social media users who were relieved that the group had reached safety.
Fiona Williamson stated, “I wish for everyone’s safety.” We are aware of how deadly the ocean can be.
Jayne Ellis Chapman stated, “At that point, no more.” There are hazardous rocks in that area. I’m happy that everyone is safe.
Jacqueline Neish said, “Outstanding images!” I am relieved that both the crew and rescuers are unharmed.
Jo Lawrence stated, “That is dreadful, I hope everyone is okay. Those are, however, some stunning images.’