Big seas delay ferry
PROLONGED westerly gales are having an impact on the NorthLink ferry service.
Serco announced on Tuesday that the southbound sailing of Hjaltland due to set off at 7pm will now depart after 10pm and is not due in Aberdeen until 9am.
The company blamed the delay on “large seas forecast in the Fair Isle Gap today”, which may also delay the northbound sailing of the freight vessel Helliar. The Hildasay is currently berthed in Lerwick harbour.
Shetland coastguard said that the westerly gales would stay at Force 7 and 8, occasionally reaching sever gale force 9 overnight, but a significant swell has built up over the past two days.
The northbound ferry Hrossey and the Pentland Firth crossing are not expected to be held up.
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