Boat delayed after missing person search
THE NORTHLINK ferry Hjaltland is expected to arrive in Lerwick five hours behind schedule on Thursday after taking part in a search overnight for a missing crew member.
The boat stopped in its tracks north east of Peterhead shortly before 11pm and turned back to search.
It was joined by other ships in the vicinity as well as lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh and the Inverness based coastguard helicopter.
The vessel then started on its way north again at around 5am after nothing was found.
NorthLink Ferries, which said on Thursday morning that the search is ongoing, confirmed that the male crew member’s next of kin has been informed. All passengers are accounted for and are safe and well.
The Hjaltland, which had departed from Aberdeen, is due into Lerwick at 12.30pm instead of the usual 7.30am.
Thursday night’s southbound sailing from Lerwick will now leave at 9pm instead of 7pm.
NorthLink Ferries added that it is liaising with the police and the coastguard.
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