Upon the upgrade of the assistance message to an SOS, the Portpatrick Lifeboat "Jeannie Spiers" was dispatched, as was the destroyer . "Contest", commanded by Lt Cdr H. P. Fleming, left Rothesay at 11:09 hrs but, although she came close to her position at 13:30 hrs, poor visibility prevented the crew from seeing the sinking ship. The destroyer had been trying to maintain a speed of to reach the listing ferry but, after sustaining damage from the seas, Lt Cdr Fleming was forced to reduce speed to .