News / Transport links returning to normal
ALMOST 100 passengers on board the Aberdeen-bound ferry Hrossey finally alighted at Rosyth on Tuesday night after a mammoth journey from Lerwick that took almost 30 hours in rough seas.
The NorthLink ferry was diverted when Aberdeen harbour was closed on Monday night due to strong south easterly winds and high tides.
It had been due to berth at Rosyth, in the Firth of Forth, at 8.30pm, but was delayed for more than an hour until the Zeebrugge ferry left its berth.
NorthLink hope to return to a normal service on Thursday night as ferries continue to be disrupted on Wednesday.
The Hjaltland left Lerwick at 6am on Wednesday, 10 hours behind schedule, and was not due to reach Aberdeen until 9pm. The vessel is due to turn around almost immediately and depart again at 11pm straight for Lerwick, though its arrival time remains unclear.
Meanwhile the Hrossey was due to leave Rosyth at 4pm and berth in Aberdeen by midnight, ready to return to normal schedule on Thursday evening.
The company’s freight boats were also held up, with the Hildasay departing Kirkwall for Aberdeen at 5am on Wednesday and due to arrive at 4pm before turning around as soon as possible to head for Lerwick.
The Helliar left Kirkwall heading for Lerwick at midnight, where she was due to arrive at 9pm on Wednesday.
Oil flights in and out of Scatsta airport have returned after a two day break due to the strong winds, but Bristow said they expected it to take until the weekend to clear the backlog of workers waiting to join or leave their offshore workplace.
The inter island service from Tingwall airport continues to be out of action on Wednesday, however Sumburgh airport has maintained its scheduled service throughout the disruption.
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