Cargo shifted ON PASSAGE bound from Archangel to the Mediterranean, timber ship Fred Everard developed a list when her deck cargo shifted and, at 0143 on Monday, September 26, sent out an urgency signal PAN. Her position was 61° 36'N, 00° 48'w. The message was picked up and broadcast by Coastguard Lerwick and Wick. A Nimrod aircraft was diverted to the area and it was reported that Oil Mariner was on her way to stand by: ETA 0700. The weather was south east near gale force 7 with poor visibility and heavy seas. At 0220 the honorary secretary of Lerwick lifeboat station was informed of the position.

As, however, Fred Everard was 45 miles north north east of Muckle Flugga, 110 miles north of Lerwick, and at the extreme range for the lifeboat, and as there were other ships in the vicinity offering assistance, it was decided to hold the lifeboat until she could be of more use.

By 0504 Oil Mariner had the casualty in sight and at 0611 German vessel Herdentor was also standing by. The tugs Nordzee and Pacific were on their way. With her list increased to about 30 degrees, Fred Everard set course for Lerwick under her own steam. By 1006 the two tugs were standing by and Oil Mariner and Herdentor were released.

The weather was southerly gale force 8 with a 4 foot swell and 25 foot waves.

Visibility was a quarter to half a mile. By 1200 Fred Everard, with Nordzee and Pacific in attendance, was 11 miles north of Muckle Flugga, steering 152°T to come down the east side of land to Lerwick, making 3J to 4 knots.

The slow progress continued all afternoon and at 1922 it was agreed that Lerwick lifeboat should stand by during the night passage. At 1940 52' Barnett relief lifeboat Ramsay Dyce, on temporary duty at Lerwick, launched andset out at full speed to intercept Fred Everard. The weather was south east force 7 to 8, with rough seas and visibility almost nil because of fog and rain.

By 2218 the lifeboat was alongside the casualty and standing by, and now gave courses and directions for Lerwick during the night. The wind moderated and went westerly about 0400.

At 0520 Fred Everard's list began to increase; at 0533 her master requested tow and at 0540 asked the lifeboat to come alongside and take off part of her crew. Coxswain George Leith took the lifeboat alongside Fred Everard, now listing to about 50 degrees and by 0620, after several attempts, had taken off the chief engineer's wife and five men, leaving the master and six other members of the crew on board. Some damage was sustained to the lifeboat rails and wheelhouse roof as she touched the ship's side. Lundi Senior, which had been standing by since about 0540, got a line on board Fred Everard, but if some cargo had not gone over side, the vessel could have capsized.

Lerwick lifeboat, satisfied that all was under control, set out for harbour at 0845 and those taken off the timber ship were landed at 0915 and taken to the Mission to Seamen. The lifeboat was refuelled and back on station at 1000.

Fred Everard was towed to harbour by Lundi Senior..