The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said it is unlikely any survivors will be found from a cargo vessel which upturned in the North Sea.
The hull of the Cemfjord, a cargo ship registered in Cyprus, was spotted by a passing NorthLink ferry at 2.30pm today.
The 83-metre ship, which was carrying cement from Denmark to Runcorn, Cheshire, is now drifting in freezing waters of the Pentland Firth, 15 miles north-east of Wick.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “We have discovered wreckage but, at present, there are no survivors in the immediate vicinity.
“It has to be said, at this stage, that it is not looking particularly encouraging that we will find them.”
It is understood the Wick lifeboat is standing by upturned vessel waiting for the arrival of a tug which will tow the ship back to land.
The other lifeboats and two rescue helicopters are still searching for the eight crew members.
Bill Farquhar from RNLI Thurso said the last known position of the ship had been at 1.15 pm yesterday.
“The weather at that time yesterday was pretty bad,” he said.
“I don’t know what has happened after that. There was no mayday as such. It is very, very strange, especially with all the weather technology we have nowadays.
“Whatever happened, it happened very rapidly.”