Emergency vessel to be stationed in Orkney

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed a decision that a new Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) for the waters around the Northern and Western Isles will be stationed in Orkney.

The Herakles, a specialist anchor handling and towing vessel, will provide an emergency towing service for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The move follows an announcement last month by Scottish secretary Michael Moore that the UK Government will continue to fund an ETV up to 2015.