An inquiry into one of Scotland's worst fishing disasters has been adjourned until the New Year.
Seven fishermen died when the Trident was lost in stormy seas off the coast of Wick in Caithness in 1974.
The original inquiry ruled that the Peterhead-registered boat had been sunk by a massive wave, resulting in the deaths of Alex Ritchie, George Nicol, Robert Cordiner, Tom Thain, James Tait, Alex Summers and Alex Mair.
But relatives have always claimed the boat was not sea-worthy – prompting a fresh inquiry which began on October 19.
All remaining evidence will now be heard in February.
Jeannie Ritchie, 69, who lost her husband and her father in the tragedy said: “We are disappointed we haven’t got our case forward. Now we have to wait until near the end of February but we have great faith in our legal team because we have the truth behind us.”
Solicitor to the Trident investigation Kay McCorquodale said: “It’s unfortunate (that the inquiry has gone over schedule) but our priority is to get all the evidence presented and unfortunately it’s taking longer than we’d anticipated at the outset.
“We are as anxious as anybody to get this matter concluded as soon as possible. Our ultimate goal is to find out what caused this tragedy.”
The Trident was lost while making its return trip from Troon to Peterhead on October 3, 1974.
There was no radio contact, no distress signal and no eyewitnesses to the sinking.
An oil film was reported on 6 October in the last known position of the Trident. The wreck of the ship was not discovered until 2001.
The inquiry will reconvene on February 22, next year.
