Stornoway Coastguard received an urgent pan pan message at 5:45 p.m. on 9 February 2001 from 'Gripper', a 26 ft converted fishing trawler, indicating that two diesel tanks had shifted on board and had loosened, trapping a passenger.

Some ten minutes later 'Gripper' broadcast a Mayday as the situation worsened and the shifting tanks were causing the vessel to begin to keel over on its side. Stornoway Coastguard immediately scrambled Coastguard rescue helicopter 'Mike Uniform' to the scene, almost a mile off the Knoydart Peninsula. The launch of the RNLI Lifeboat from Mallaig was also requested and three fishing vessels also headed directly to 'Gripper'.

At 6:03 p.m., before 'Mike Uniform had reached the distressed passenger vessel, Stornoway Coastguard were informed that the 7 people on board 'Gripper' had taken to the water and were safely onboard the fishing vessel 'Ocean Drifter' and that the passenger vessel was sinking. At this point Mallaig lifeboat was also on scene.

Ed Thompson, Watch Manager at Stornoway Coastguard said, "All persons onboard 'Gripper' were recovered from the water suffering from minor injuries, no hospitalisation will be needed.

"Weather on scene was southeasterly force 2-3. The wreck has been reported to the hydrographer as a matter of course and there is no risk of pollution.

The 'Gripper' a converted fishing vessel, was travelling from Mallaig in the Highlands to the hamlet of Doune, four miles north of Mallaig when it overturned in the Sound of Sleat.