Lifeboat called to mystery grounding Lerwick - Scotland North Division Lerwick's Arun class Soldian is pictured preparing to come alongside the oil rig standby vessel Seaborne Intrepid following a mysterious grounding on 6 July 1987.

The ship had run aground at the base of high cliffs at The Ord on Bressay Island, Shetlands in a light wind with visibility between one and two miles.

Holed Although holed, and with a reported five feet of water in the engine room, the crew had not raised the alarm. A small diving launch spotted her predicament and contacted Shetland Coastguard.

The lifeboat was launched and under way at 1924, and on her way to the scene of the incident passed a damaged inflatable with 10 people on board. The inflatable was from the casualty, and after checking numbers it was discovered the skipper was still aboard the Seaborne Intrepid.

When the lifeboat reached the vessel at 1933 a crew member was put aboard, but could not find the captain on the bridge. The lifeboat put another crew member aboard, and after a search found the captain asleep in his cabin. He was advised to leave, and the lifeboat came in once again to take the two lifeboat crew and the vessel's master off before returning to Lerwick.

A Department of Trade inquiry into the grounding is expected..