A Dutch cargo ship is listing in high winds in the North Sea 90 miles north-east of Aberdeen.
A Dutch cargo ship, which began listing in high winds 90 miles north-east of Aberdeen, has been righted.
The 3,000-tonne Nordgard, which was heading for Grangemouth, has changed direction in an attempt to stabilise the vessel in winds of 50 knots.
The crew of the 3,000-tonne Nordgard, which was heading for Grangemouth, raised the alarm after some of its cargo of timber came loose.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the stand-by vessel the Ocean Sprite is ready to give assistance if needed.
The timber has since been dumped into the North Sea. The ship changed direction in an attempt to stabilise the vessel in winds of 50 knots.
The seven crew of the Nordgard are unable to get on deck to secure the timber cargo because of the weather.
The seven crew are understood to be safe and well.
'Severe weather'
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the stand-by vessel the Ocean Sprite had been put on alert to give assistance if needed.
Fiona Hastie, watch manager of the Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said the stand-by vessel would become involved if the situation deteriorated.
The crew of the Nordgard were earlier unable to get on deck to secure the timber cargo because of the weather.
The ship was originally heading for Grangemouth on the Forth
"Currently the situation is under control, however the vessel is still suffering a list and severe weather is preventing the crew from going on deck to attempt to secure the cargo," she said.
"The crew are doing their best to stabilise the vessel's list until the weather abates.
"We have tasked a stand-by vessel who are monitoring the situation and can react should their situation worsen.
"We are in constant contact with the vessel and will reassess the situation in daylight."
