CARGO CARRIER SUFFERS ENGINE FAILURE

Shetland Coastguard were contacted at 4:48 a.m. on 1 August 2001 by the Master of the Nassau registered, 64 metre cargo vessel 'Highland Carrier' reporting to Coastguard that the vessel was drifting south with seven crew on board after suffering engine failure from a position south of Vaila, near Lerwick.

It is thought that cargo; rope or nets became tangled in the ferry's propeller while it was towing a barge.

Shetland Coastguard said the incident happened about three miles off the mainland, adding that a lifeboat was at the scene and things were under control.

The ‘Highland Carrier’ was expected to be towed into Walls Harbour, Shetland, by the lifeboat.