Disruption to ferry sailings continues after mammoth journey to Rosyth

Ninety-five passengers onboard the Hrossey endured a southbound sailing of more than 28 hours after tidal conditions and a strong swell forced the closure of Aberdeen Harbour.

The NorthLink ferry berthed at Rosyth at 9.45pm last night – over an hour after her revised arrival at 8.30pm and almost eight hours after she was originally scheduled to berth in Aberdeen, at 2pm.

She did arrive at the Fife port earlier, but had to wait until a ship operating out of Rosyth had sailed before a berth became available.

The Hrossey is now scheduled to leave Rosyth at 4pm this afternoon. She is expected to arrive in Aberdeen tonight at 11.30pm, and will sail to Kirkwall and Lerwick at 5pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile the Hjaltland is due to sail to Shetland from Aberdeen at 11pm tonight, having only left the harbour in Lerwick at 6am this morning following yesterday’s delayed arrival.

The disruptions mean there will be no southbound sailing leaving Lerwick tonight, however the Hjaltland will leave Lerwick at 7pm tomorrow for Aberdeen.

The freight vessel Hildasay is currently sailing to Aberdeen in time for a next scheduled departure at around 5pm to Kirkwall and Lerwick.

NorthLink’s other freight boat, the Helliar, is due to leave Kirkwall for Lerwick at noon. Her next scheduled departure will be an 11pm sailing to Aberdeen.

* Were you on board Hrossey or do you know anyone who was? Contact us with your comments at editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk or phone the newsroom on (01595) 746716.