RESCUE WORKERS ARE WINCHED ABOARD STRICKEN CHEMICAL TANKER, 1999-03-20 (photo)

Rescue workers are winched aboard the stricken chemical tanker Ascania which is still drifting in the Pentland Firth at Dunnet Head March 20. The tanker loaded with 1,700 tonnes of vinyl acetate was abandoned early yesterday morning, as a blaze on board the ships engine room went out of control. About 200 villagers on the north coast of Scotland were evacuated on Friday after fire broke out on the tanker drifting in rough seas less than three miles offshore, police said. A police spokeswoman said residents of the village of Dunnet were evacuated as a safeguard because of the tanker's explosive cargo. JJM/JDP