Diving support vessel grounds off Lerwick

ATTEMPTS are going to be made on Friday afternoon to pull a 105 metre long offshore diving support vessel off rocks just outside Lerwick harbour after she ran aground in the middle of the night.

The three year old Bibby Topaz, with around 100 crew on board, had just left the harbour through the north entrance when she struck ground near the Greenhead Base.

The incident is still within harbour limits and the rescue operation is being coordinated by Lerwick Port Authority. The harbour’s two tugs Knab and Kebister tried to pull the vessel off last night but without success.

Port authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said this morning: “It is very unfortunate that the vessel had run aground while on departure from Lerwick. I understand the ship owner is looking for a tug to do a commercial tow for the vessel at the next high tide, which will be at 2pm this afternoon.”

A representative of the owners, Aberdeen based Bibby Offshore Limited, was on his way to Shetland in the morning.

Shetland Coastguard is monitoring the incident as it develops. The MCA’s counter pollution officer has been alerted as a precaution.

The people on board the 3,500 tonne vessel are thought not to be in any immediate danger.