NorthLink Ferries has cancelled this afternoon's remaining sailings on the Pentland Firth route. The decision to cancel MV Hamnavoe's 16.45 sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and the return sailing from Scrabster at 1900 was taken after the vessel developed engine trouble on the early afternoon sailing from Scrabster to Stromness.

A fault was discovered on the port engine and the vessel continued her journey on a single engine. Deteriorating weather conditions locally meant that it was considered unwise to continue to operate throughout the afternoon on a single engine.

The vessel is presently berthed in Stromness where engineers are examining the faulty engine to identify the exact nature of the fault. They will work overnight in an effort to have the vessel back in service for an intended 0900 departure from Stromness tomorrow morning.

NorthLink apologises to all passengers for the inconvenience and indicates that an update will be published on the company website by 0730 tomorrow morning.