Beryl

The Beryl in Lerwick Harbour on January 23rd 1997. Her colours were changed to white over black some years prior to her loss.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives

The Beryl (BF411), a wooden hulled motor fishing trawler, 19.82 L x 6.82 Beam x 3.5 Draft (metres), 169 Gross/75.1 Net Tonnes, built 1996 Macduff Shipyards, Macduff, Scotland, refurbished in 2007 when a new Mitsubishi S12A2-MPTA 459 Kw engine and propellor were fitted, and the fish hold was overhauled with upgraded insulation and chilling installed, Captain and owner or part owner understood to have been Colin Mitchell, registered in Banff, Scotland, five crew.

This vessel contacted the Shetland Coastguard at approx 14.30 BST on Sunday 22nd May 2011, to report that she was filling with water at a position approx 25 miles N or NE (the available reports are in dispute) of Muckle Flugga, Unst.

The Sumburgh Search & Rescue Helicopter was immediately dispatched to the scene with pumps, but by the time it arrived the vessel was listing too heavily for it to be safe to deploy them. While the helicopter was on its way, the nearby Buckie, Scotland, registered fishing vessel Onward had gone alongside the Beryl and attempted to assist with pumping her out, but the ingress was too severe and the attempt was abandoned.

Four crewmembers were taken off the Beryl at this time, leaving only the Skipper onboard. Shortly after the arrival of the helicopter he too abandoned the vessel and was picked up by the Onward. The Beryl sank shortly afterwards at approx 16.15 BST.

The crew of the Beryl were landed later at Lerwick by the Onward.