Lifeboat called to help drifting ferry
The Fair Isle ferry Good Shepherd has been towed into Grutness after drifting off Sumburgh Head having broken down shortly before 10am with 15 people on board.
The Lerwick lifeboat was called to help the vessel, which was said to be in no immediate danger. The conditions were good, and there were several vessels in the immediate vicinity.
Ferry operations manager Ken Duerden said the breakdown appeared to have been caused by a fuel pump and there was sufficient seaway to take the vessel under tow.
Good Shepherd was about a-mile-and-a-half south of Sumburgh when she lost power and drifted in a roughly west-north-westerly direction, away from the coast. She had 11 passengers and four crew on board.
The Shetland Times photographer Dave Donaldson captured the video footage below:
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Mary Moncrieff
Interesting trip on Good Shepherd!! The crew was brilliant, calm and professional and they kept us updated. When the lifeboat arrived we knew we would soon be ashore! Thanks to all involved!!
Jo White
Many thanks to the Lerwick lifeboat crew who were very efficient and towed us to Grutness Pier after the Good Shepherd broke down a few miles off the coast. Thanks also to the Ferry crew who kept us well informed and there was no panic as we floated around. Thankfully the weather was calm. An exciting drama to finish a remarkable NTS work camp on Fair Isle !