Hjaltland bow door repairs expected on Wednesday

THE BOW doors of the NorthLink ferry Hjaltland are only set to be fixed on Wednesday after a mechanical issue on Friday night.

The vessel was due to leave Lerwick at 5.30pm bound for Kirkwall and Aberdeen on Friday, but an issue with the bow doors meant that her departure was delayed until 11pm.

She only arrived in Kirkwall at 8.30am the following morning, and then in Aberdeen at 5.30pm on Saturday night.

Some passengers got off the ferry on Friday because they had onwards travel plans that would have been disrupted by the delay.

The Hjaltland has remained in service, but the issue with the bow doors – which is believed to be an isolated incident, and not a recurring problem – will only be fully fixed on Wednesday.

A specialist team are set to work on the bow door in Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Until then, the ferry will berth in Lerwick with its stern to the quay.

NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett said on Friday night that he acknowledged the delay to the sailing was inconvenient.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our primary concern and we will update passengers on any relevant information as it becomes available,” he added.