The lost crew of the bulk carrier Cemfjord, which sank in the Pentland Firth, will be remembered at a church services in Wick this weekend.
There has been no sign of the vessel’s eight crew since its upturned hull was found drifting in the water north-east of the Caithness town on January 3.
It is though that the cement carrier was overcome by a massive wave while passing through the firth the previous day.
Despite a massive air, land and sea search, no sign of the eight strong crew has been found and they are missing, presumed dead.
Now the Mission to Seafarers will honour the seamen and those who set out to rescue them at a service on Sunday.
The mission’s Rev Tim Tunley will lead the service at St John’s Church in Wick.
The church’s rector, the Rev Wendy Knott, said: “There will be a special focus on those who lost their lives and anyone who was touched by the tragedy is invited to attend.
“It is a terrible situation.”
Plans to send a remote operated vehicle down to the wreck, which is resting upside down in more than 270ft of water, were put hold because of bad weather in the Pentland Firth area.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is now investigating the cause of the accident. One line of inquiry is expected to be the weather conditions
Another is why the boat’s emergency position indicating radio beacon did not automatically activate when the vessel began sinking.