Work on new Fair Isle ferry project underway to meet tight deadlines
The recent windy weather also saw most flights last week cancelled, and a fire engine fault means passengers have to fly to Sumburgh
The NorthLink ferry service is also set to experience delays
Shetland Islands Council has requested around £23m from the Scottish Government for operating ferries next year – an increase of more than £5.5m
There is also criticism over freight capacity during livestock season – with claims the opportunity to charter a vessel was turned down
Green councillor Alex Armitage believes chargers on the overnight sailing would be a good move – but there are concerns it would be counter-intuitive
The council’s transport chair says the SIC does ‘not have any available staff who are appropriately qualified to stand in for sick colleagues’ at the moment
Updated
‘Utterly unacceptable’: ‘Grim’ scenes on busy ferry as passengers ‘compete for floor space’ to sleep
Transport Scotland said the boat was busier than usual due to flight cancellations – and ‘seats were available for each of the 585 passengers on board the vessel’
North Isles councillor Ryan Thomson, from Unst, said it was a “dark day” for the area
Staff vacancies and absences have particularly affected services to Yell, Unst and Fetlar, with disruption continuing this week
