Cargo ship brought back to safety

The Sea Fox had power but was listing (RAF footage)

A cargo ship which had been listing badly in heavy seas off the coast of Scotland has been escorted to safety.

Barra lifeboat went to help the 10-man crew of the stricken Sea Fox and rescue helicopters were put on standby.

The Latvian vessel, which weighs more than 2,000 tonnes and was carrying timber, was caught in a force nine gale on Thursday morning.

Clyde Coastguard said the Sea Fox made it to Castlebay on the island of Barra under its own power.

The master of the cargo vessel contacted the coastguard at 0945 GMT and said the ship's load had shifted in heavy seas.

Cargo of timber

The vessel, which was 13 miles west of Tiree, had power but was listing 50 degrees to port.

The incident was treated as an emergency by Clyde Coastguard, although there had been no reports of injury among the Latvian crew.

Helicopters from HMS Gannet at Prestwick and RAF Lossiemouth were on standby on Tiree.

The 2,219-tonne vessel was carrying a cargo of timber from Riga to Liverpool.

This was the second time the Sea Fox has required assistance in UK waters.

The vessel was brought to Falmouth under tow after losing power following an engine room fire on 11 January last year.