Ferry suffers broken windows in rough seas

A FERRY had to turn back after being damaged by a “freak wave” as it sailed from Aberdeen to Kirkwall in Orkney.

The MV Hrossey was forced to return to port yesterday evening after water streamed into its front bar when some of its windows were smashed by the rough weather.

Passenger Euan McBride, who was near to area when the incident happened, said he saw “seawater pouring in” to the bar after hearing a smashing sound.

The boat left Aberdeen at 5pm but it turned around off the coast of Peterhead around one and a half hours later.

“I was in the bathroom at the front of the lounge trying not to be sick due to the rocking, then heard a crashing sound,” Mr McBride said.

“I thought it was the glassware behind the bar smashing and left to see what happened.

“When I came out there was another passenger who had been sleeping on one of the seats looking horrified as a window at the left of the boat had completely smashed in and there was glass everywhere and seawater pouring in the hole.”

McBride said he and his fellow passenger were asked to leave the area by staff.

He added there was talk on board the boat that the incident was caused by a “freak wave”.

NorthLink confirmed that “extreme weather conditions” caused damage to windows at the front of the vessel.

The northbound vessel had been expected to set sail again later after repairs.