Pipe-layer in for shelter

TOWERING high above its fellow visitors to Lerwick Harbour this week was the rather distinctive CSO Apache pipe-laying ship.

The unusual-looking mammoth 123m-long structure, owned by Aberdeen-based company Technip UK Ltd, was berthed at Holmsgarth from Wednesday as it sought respite from the strong westerly gales which have been battering the North Sea on and off over the past seven days.

Many of the other harbour visitors this week were in for a similar purpose, including the Norwegian live fish carrier Hedda, the cargo ship Fonnland and fishery research vessel Hakon Mosby. A host of supply boats arrived for shelter on Monday, the Norwegian-registered Northern Clipper and Skandi Marstein, the Bahamas-flagged Havila Faith and the UK-registered FS Aquarius.

A substantial number of Irish pelagic trawlers arrived over the course of the weekend to land mackerel at Shetland Catch.

The cargo ship Kielder made its first visit of the year last Thursday to deliver salt to be used by the SIC on icy roads throughout Shetland this winter, and she was expected to return again last night with more salt.

British oil tanker the Audacity arrived from Immingham on Sunday and was still in the harbour yesterday as it underwent engine repairs.

Harbour tug boat the Knab was called out twice, on Wednesday and Friday last week, to deal with crew changes for the oil tanker Petronordic and the Dutch fishing trawler Dirk-Dirk.