Search continues for crew member missing from North Sea ferry

A search has been launched for a member of crew missing from a ferry in the North Sea.

Aberdeen Lifeboat was alerted around 10am on Thursday that a person had been reported missing from the NorthLink ferry MV Hjaltland, which was sailing overnight from Aberdeen to Lerwick on Shetland.

An RNLI spokesman said: “Lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh, together with the Coastguard SAR helicopter from Inverness, have been searching through the night.

“Aberdeen Lifeboat has been tasked to continue the search."

A spokesperson for North Link Ferries said:

"NorthLink Ferries can confirm that a search is ongoing for one crew member who is reported unaccounted for on the MV Hjaltland which left Aberdeen at 7pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 bound for Lerwick. His next of kin have been informed.

"All our passengers have been accounted for and are safe and well.

"The relevant authorities have been informed and ferry operator Serco is liaising with HM Coastguard and Police Scotland."