Missing North Sea ferry passenger named

THE passenger feared to have been lost overboard on Monday from the Shetland passenger ferry, was today named as Craig Townsley, 22, from Shetland.

The Northlink Ferry Hjaltland docked on a previous visit to Edinburgh. Picture: Neil Hanna

The search for Mr Townsley was called off late last night after more than 20 vessels and an RAF search and rescue helicopter had spent almost 15 hours searching for the young Shetlander who went missing from the Hjaltland ferry, the Shetland to Aberdeen overnight service, in the early hours of Monday morning.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said today: “Police Scotland can confirm that Craig Townsley, 22, of Shetland, was reported missing after he was last seen at around 3.30am on Monday, on a ferry travelling from Shetland to Aberdeen.

“The sea based search by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency was stood down last night after failing to trace Mr Townsley.The family of Mr Townsley have been made aware of developments.”

Detective Inspector Stewart Mackie, who is heading the investigation, said: “Our officers are still treating this as a missing person enquiry which remains ongoing. However our initial enquiries indicate that Mr Townsley may have gone overboard.”