The German registered trawler, Hessen, struck the Beacon Rocks on Stroma on the evening of 25 June 1987 and began to take on water. As she drifted eastward it became clear that she could not be saved. Two Sea King helicopters from HMS Ark Royal, by chance exercising off Cape Wrath, two fishing boats, the Caithness to Orkney ferry, Pentland Venture and the Longhope lifeboat, co-operated to lift-off the twenty-one people on board before the Hessen finally slipped beneath the surface to the east of Duncansby Head.
For one of the rescued crew it was a repeat experience as he had been on board the Thunfisch when she had sunk almost in the same area in 1975.
The Hessen was built in 1960 at Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven. She was 998 grt, 72.8m long, 11m wide and 4.9m deep.
For one of the rescued crew it was a repeat experience as he had been on board the Thunfisch when she had sunk almost in the same area in 1975.
The Hessen was built in 1960 at Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven. She was 998 grt, 72.8m long, 11m wide and 4.9m deep.