NorthLink freight service disrupted

An underwater investigation carried out by divers in Lerwick has established that the technical problem which affected the NorthLink freight vessel Helliar whilst she was operating the Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick service overnight on Saturday, was due to a rope becoming fouled in the port propeller.

NorthLink say that length of rope had been removed from the propeller, and investigations are continuing into whether the rope has damaged the propeller shaft mechanism, and added that it may be that the vessel will have to be placed in dry-dock for a more detailed investigation or repair.

The situation will become more clear once a further underwater investigation has been carried out.