4 February, 2009

THE NORTHERN isles ferry service between Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick has been delayed after being forced to divert to Rosyth, on the Forth, due to excessively low tides at Aberdeen harbour.

The NorthLink service, currently down to a single vessel while the Hrossey is in dry dock for annual maintenance, was forced to sail from Rosyth last night (Tuesday).

NorthLink sent coaches from Aberdeen to Rosyth to meet passengers when it berthed at 11am yesterday, and bussed those needing to be in Aberdeen back north again.

Due to continuing uncertainty about tides, last night’s sailing went from Rosyth direct to Lerwick. Passengers checking in at Aberdeen were driven down to Rosyth where the boat was expected to leave at 9pm and arrive in Lerwick this afternoon.

This is the third problem faced by NorthLink this year so far, with both Hjaltland and Hrossey ferries being damaged by heavy seas in the past few weeks.