Fishing vessel under tow after losing power

A fishing vessel is under tow after losing power in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Aith lifeboat was dispatched along with the Sumburgh-based rescue helicopter following the issue with the Banff-registered Enterprise II.

The vessel lost power and was left drifting 60 miles west of the isles.

Another vessel has been towing her back to Scalloway, with the Aith lifeboat shadowing her.

Three new cases for second consecutive day

Shetland has recorded a further three coronavirus cases today (Thursday).

It is the second consecutive day in which three cases have been recorded.

The isles have now recorded 21 cases in the past seven days.

Debate to be held into DVSA’s handling of isles

A debate will be held on the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) treatment of Shetland at Westminster.

MP Alistair Carmichael will lead the debate on Wednesday morning, having been a vocal critic of the government agency following a string of high-profile disasters in the past months.

It comes a week after he wrote to transport committee chairman Huw Merriman calling for a government inquiry into the running of the DVSA.

Mr Carmichael said the agency “now requires serious and urgent ministerial attention”.

“I want to know from ministers why they have allowed the situation to get where it has,” he said.

The MP said he would be asking ministers to explain the “attitude of the DVSA towards the communities in the Northern Isles”.

Drivers asked to use caution after oil spillages

Drivers are being asked to use caution while driving after reports of oil spillages on the main road.

The SIC said it had received reports of spillages on the A970 between Lerwick and the South Nesting junction.

A mixture of spilled oil and heavy rain had made the road slippery in patches, the council said.

Roads staff are currently spreading sand and placing signs at the worst affected areas, but drivers have been urged to exercise care – particularly on bends or in areas where signs are in place.

Early day motion recognises the achievement of last Shetland Bus man

The life of the last member of the Shetland Bus and the vital role he played in the war effort is being recognised in parliament.

Polycrub takes outstanding achievement environmental award

Polycrub Shetland has scooped an outstanding achievement award in recognition of its efforts to tackle environmental impacts and reduce carbon emissions.

The company was one of four Scottish companies to earn the award at the Vibes Scottish Environment Business awards.

The winners were deemed exemplars of good environmental practice at a time when tackling climate change has never been more urgent.

Nortenergy chairman Drew Ratter, which helped create Polycrub, said the company’s approach to the business had “always been heavily informed by the fight against climate change”.

“The first crubs were created as part of a climate change project, to encourage local food production,” he said.

“We came up with the idea of using recycled materials right from the start and looking at the big aquaculture industry in Shetland we were keen to help them to recycle.

“It is a big win for both us and them, and we propose to use the recycled pipe to the extent of its availability.

“So it feels to me that winning this Vibes award is a big win for us and for the important Scottish aquaculture sector. We are extremely
pleased.”

Rape crisis charity sees rise in people seeking support

Shetland Rape Crisis (SRC) supported 68 victims of sexual violence in the last year –  a rise of 17 over the previous year.

The charity today (Tuesday) published its annual report for the period 2020-2021.

It showed that 68 sexual violence survivors – 62 women and six men – were supported.

The majority of those, 44 people, were given support and counselling by SRC.

Most of those affected were first sexually assaulted before the age of 20.

Twenty-four cases were reported to SRC’s advocacy service, with the majority of service users reporting that the police response to them reporting a case had been “supportive”.

SRC chairwoman Siún Carden said it had been a “challenging” year for the service due to Covid.

“Shetland Rape Crisis has risen to the occasion, finding new ways of working to support survivors through this time and continuing to provide an excellent service despite unpredictable restrictions, periods of working from home and the extra pressures we have all experienced.”