Saint Kentigern

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

The Saint Kentigern, a steel hulled general cargo vessel, 469 gross tons, 49.68 L x 8.96 B x 3.09 D metres, built 1973 J. W. Cook & Co (Wivenhoe) Ltd, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex, England, owner J & A Gardner & Co Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland, and registered in Glasgow, Scotland. In passage from Bonawe, Argyll & Bute, Scotland to Mid Yell carrying a cargo of rock/tarmacadam, during drakness and in Force 9-10 winds drove on to Kettla Ness, West Burra on 3rd November 1979, the crew abandoned ship taking to the liferaft.

Some hours later, and several miles further along the coast at Skeld, a distress flare launched by the crew in the lifraft was spotted in the early dawn by local fisherman Jim Scott, who accompanied by a colleague Ronnie Couper, rowed out to where his small fishing boat the Alert was moored in the voe. After coming alongside Skeld pier with the Alert to collect a second colleague Ian Gray, they headed out the voe towards the liferaft, their boat at times disappearing within the spray from the storm force SSE gale.

Once located, they secured a line to the liferaft and towed it to a safer distance from nearby land, before bringing all six men aboard the Alert and conveying them to shore and safety.

The prompt actions, courage and excellent seamanship of the three Skeld men undoubtedly saved six lives, for which they were later awarded 'The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct'.

The vessel broke up completely within three days, becoming a total loss, and lies in a maximum depth of 15 metres.