Gripfast was a 2,852 GRT coaster which was built in 1941 as Empire Brook for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT).

Despite this, she was repaired and saw further service as Gripfast, Capetan Costas P, Karine M and Pitsa before sinking when under tow on 6 December 1967.

Empire Brook joined the convoy at Bizerta, Tunisia and left it at Algiers, Algeria.

[7] Convoy MKS 47 departed Port Said, Egypt on 19 April 1944 bound for the United Kingdom.

[8] In 1946, Empire Brook was sold to Stanhope Steamship Co Ltd, and was renamed Stancliffe,[1] the third ship of that name for the company.

[1] Her cargo of 3,000 tons of timber was salvaged,[11] but Stancliffe had broken her back and was declared a constructive total loss.

[1] Stancliffe was cut into two pieces, and each was sailed down the River Severn to Cardiff where the ship was repaired.

In 1966, Capetan Costas P was sold to Compagnia di Navigazione Patricio, Liberia and renamed Karine M. She was operated under the management of Mooringwell Steamship Co, Cardiff.

On 1 December 1967,[1] Pitsa left Aqaba, Jordan,[2] bound for Colombo, Ceylon under tow from tug Nisos Kerkyra.