Tug name chance

School children from across the isles will be given the chance to name two new tugs for the Sullom Voe terminal.

Members of the council’s harbour board agreed primary and secondary pupils from all schools should be eligible to take part in a competition to name the vessels.

The tugs are currently being built at Spanish shipyard Union Naval Valencia.

Traditionally tugs that serve the port have been named after Shetland birds, which has given rise to the current crop of vessels Dunter, Tystie, Tirrick, Shalder and Stanechakker.

However it is hoped the new tugs will be given names drawn from a wider marine-based theme.

The decision to include schools in the process follows a previous competition to name council ferries Daggri and Dagalien.

The council says links can be forged with the wider community if schools are included in the naming process.