Lerwick Lifeboat reunion to bring together volunteers and crew from throughout the ages

Former crew and volunteers connected to Lerwick Lifeboat Station are invited to a reunion event, as part of  the RNLI’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

Father and son repaid less than half of £25,000 stolen from relative to cover drug debt

A father and son have been ordered to carry out unpaid work after failing to pay back all of the £25,000 they stole from another relative.

Free screening clinics offered amid big increase in mouth cancer

Dental teams are urging people to “get to know your mouth” to help tackle rising cancer rates.

Sheriff surprised drunk driver managed to get damaged van to move

A 52-year-old man who drove a severely damaged van dangerously and while drunk has been fined £1,000.

Researcher featured as ‘one to watch’ on list of inspirational young women ‘excelling in their fields’ 

A researcher with Shetland’s first youth-led charity has been featured on a list of “inspiring and tenacious” young women who are creating change in their communities.

POLL: Will you be tuning in for Shetland series nine? 

Shetland is set to return to our screens next week for its ninth series.

In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 1st November) edition of The Shetland Times:

• Investigation launched into Viking turbine damage.
• Schoolboy wins national accordion competition.
• Latest Up-Helly-A’ committee member elected.
• Sex offender jailed for 35 months.
• New police area commander speaks to The Shetland Times.
• Ghost hunter to resurrect paranormal television show in the isles.
• Reaction to budget as questions remain over Fair Isle ferry funding.
• New consultation on large energy project applications.
• Read our Shetland Food and Drink feature.
• Youth Voice makes a return.
• SPORT: Report and pictures from Shetland men’s volleyball victory.

Ferry disruption expected after new heavy vehicle guidance

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes now need to be secured at all times while travelling on council ferries, the SIC announced.

This comes following an investigation was launched into an incident where a concrete mixer overturned on the Unst ferry.

A car was crushed and a person treated for shock after a mixer overturned and crushed a car on the deck of the Bigga on Bluemull Sound last month.

Now, Shetland Islands Council has been told by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, that all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be secured on the deck of vessels, irrespective of weather and tidal conditions.

Previously, the master of the vessel could apply a discretion based on the type of vehicle and the conditions on the day. Under this new direction, this discretion can no longer be applied on this route.

The SIC has been told to implement this new guidance with immediate effect.

Other inter-island ferry routes, including Fetlar, remain unaffected, and existing arrangements can continue.

Council staff  are currently working to assess the implications of this change and how best to minimise the disruption to ferry services. 

The effect of this new direction is that there will be some ongoing disruption to ferry services on Bluemull Sound while longer term arrangements are formulated and agreed.

In a statement the council said: “It is inevitable that this will impact on ferry timetables, with extra time needed for larger vehicles to be lashed. Lashings will also reduce available deck space for other vehicles travelling at the same time.”

Investigation into wind turbine blade damage

A probe is being carried out to determine the cause of damage to a turbine at the Viking Energy Windfarm, near Vidlin.

Pictures posted on social media revealed showed the extent of the damage at the controversial Viking Energy Wind Farm, with part of the blade hanging off.

Windfarm owners SSE tried to ease concerns, saying it had disabled a turbine after receiving reports of damage.

“The wind turbine has been disabled and access to the turbine and the surrounding area has been restricted and made safe,” the renewable energy provider said.

“No one was injured or in the vicinity at the time the damage was sustained.

“We are working closely with the turbine manufacturer, Vestas, which has initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident.”

People expressed their anger over the incident on the Stop More Windfarms on Shetland Facebook page, with some highlighting the potential threat to traffic or passers by.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Shetland Times.