Wind: 43 knots (9 beauforts) / 269 W

This is the live AIS report from oil tanker Alfa Germania riding out the big storm off Islay.

Destined for Pentland Firth she is currently treading water at 1.9 kn / compass 11

There is much worse to come and as landlubbers snuggle up in bed tonight some thoughts should be with those whose jobs at sea keep us supplied with food and fuel and everything else.