Constant Star

27 August 1987     57 28.817N  01 46.082W     10-15 metres

Built:  1962 James & Stone, Brightlingsea, Yard no 412

Construction:  Steel, 140 grt, length 93.0 ft (28.3m), beam 22.1 ft (6.7m), draught 9.6 ft (2.9m)

Propulsion:  490 Bhp, diesel engine by Bergen Mekaniske Verksted AS.

Registered:  Peterhead PD172

Built in 1962 for Norrard Trawlers, Milford (registered M133), the Constant Star was sold to Peterhead owners in 1974 and registered as PD172 in 1975

The Constant Star was heading home to Peterhead on 26th August 1987 together with her pair partner, Challenger II to escape poor weather.  She was just astern of Challenger II  when she ran aground on Skerry Rock about 1 mile south of Peterhead bay  just after midnight.  The skipper,  Francis Wood, radioed in to Peterhead harbour and the lifeboat was launched.  The coastguard was also alerted and a rescue helicopter was scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth.

The weather was deteriorating and a north-easterly gale force eight, gusting storm force nine was blowing in and there was a heavy sea running.

When the lifeboat arrived, only the masts were showing above the waves.  The crew could not be found and it was noticed that the vessel's lifeboats were missing and, given that there had been no further radio contact with the vessel, it was assumed that the crew had abandoned ship.

A search was initiated with the lifeboat joining some other fishing boats and the rescue helicopter which had arrived from RAF Lossiemouth.  The Challenger II picked up an empty and damaged life raft and the small group concentrated on searching the area of the find while the lifeboat returned to have one last look at the heavily listing, almost submerged Constant Star.   The coxswain John McLean steered as close as he could to the Constant Star and this risky but close manoeuvre allowed the foredeck lookouts, James Clubb and Sid Chisholm, to spot a hand waving from the remains of the wheelhouse.  

Just as the survivor was spotted, a huge wave hit the lifeboat, injuring three of the crew.  One member of the lifeboat crew later stated that it was the worst sea conditions he had ever been in.  It was impossible for the lifeboat to take off the crew, the helicopter was called in and it winched the crew of 8 to safety.

For a short while the Constant Star stranded on Skerry Rock was a familiar sight to the inhabitants of Peterhead and Boddam, however she eventually slipped off and was partially salvaged with the propeller and other non-ferrous material removed.  Skerry Rock is very exposed to heavy seas and tides and what was left of the wreck was quickly dispersed over a wide area with only hull plates, the diesel engine, mangled wheelhouse and a hydraulic power block left.  She lies adjacent to the remains of the Loch Wasdale's boiler, winch and anchors.