A SONAR scan of the wreck of the Cemfjord, which sunk in the Pentland Firth last month, has been completed.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) says it has completed initial surveys of the wreck of the cargo ship.

No trace of the seven Polish nationals and one Filipino on board the Cemfjord was found despite an extensive search operation.

The Cemfjord sank while carrying cement.

The vessel is believed to have overturned in storm force winds, sinking about two days later.

A side sonar scan and a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) survey of the wreck have now been carried out.

A spokesman for the MAIB said that the information would form part of the ongoing investigation of the sinking.

The upturned hull of the Cemfjord was found drifting in the water north-east of Wick on January 3.

It is thought that the cement carrier was overcome by a massive wave while passing through the firth the previous day.

A liferaft from the cargo ship was also discovered drifting in the Pentland Firth.

The ship was carrying 2,000 tonnes of cement and had been sailing from Aalborg in Denmark to Runcorn in Cheshire.