MONTROSE LIFEBOAT was placed on stand-by yesterday when a cargo boat with a 10-man crew fouled its propeller and drifted dangerously close to rocks off Usan yesterday.

The 83-metre Marvita loaded with 2700 tonnes of fertiliser was bound for Montrose from Gdynia in Poland and had been lying overnight in Lunan Bay, south of Montrose, waiting to pick up the Montrose pilot yesterday morning. On her way to the meeting point her propeller was fouled and engines stalled.

She dropped anchor half a mile off the coastline at Boddin Point and was able to prevent herself drifting any closer to the rocks.

With a force five blowing from the south-east and the rough weather expected to worsen, the coastguard was alerted and a tug called from Hound Point on the Forth. Montrose lifeboat Moonbeam was placed on standby should the situation deteriorate and the crew require to be lifted off.

Before the tug arrived, the Marvita’s crew was able to get the propeller spinning again and with 50% of her power restored, she was guided slowly and safely into Montrose harbour.

The tug, having reached Arbroath, turned back once the Marvita was safely in the estuary at Montrose.

It is strongly suspected the propeller was fouled by fishing nets. Divers will check the damage today.