Say 'aarrgh'!| Jan 30, 2008
A replica Viking ship burns during the annual 'Up-Helly-Aa' festival on Scotland's Shetland Islands SUBSCRIBE TO THE TRAVELBUG Want to surf the world from the comfort of your desk ... During Up-Helly-Aa, hundreds of residents of the Shetland Islands off northern Scotland dressed up as Norsemen complete with helmets, chain mail and axes or in other fancy dress for a day and night of raucous partying. (iAfrica.com)
Stratic Energy Corporation - Field Development Programme Submitted for West Don Oil Field Jan 10, 2008
The West Don field straddles Blocks 211/13b and 211/18a (licences P.1200 and P.236 respectively) of the northern North Sea, approximately 150 km northeast of the Shetland Islands, in a water depth of approximately 500 ft. Stratic acquired a 50% interest in Block 211/13b in the UK 22nd Licensing Round. Owners of the two blocks have agreed a fixed field unitisation which results in Stratic owning 17. (Canada Newswire)
First-timers priced out of market Dec 23, 2007
Those in search of an affordable home need to head to the Shetland Islands, one of only three locations in Britain where prices are 3. 5 times local incomes or less. (Guardian Unlimited)
Way to go girl!Groomed as a hospital therapist, Makenzi, a 13-year-old sheltie, retires from CGRMC Dec 11, 2007
And it was due to the fact that, while her distant relatives may have been hard at work tending herds of sheep on the Shetland Islands northeast of Scotland, Makenzi had been hard at work brightening the lives of patients during their stay at the hospital. For nearly three years, she visited patients regularly, using her skills as a therapy dog to help them recuperate a little quicker and heal a little faster than normal because it is an established fact that just the simple act of petting the... (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
CHRONOLOGY-Some of the world's top oil tanker spills Dec 10, 2007
Jan 5, 1993, UK: The tanker Braer hits rocks near the coast of the Shetland Islands shedding its cargo of 85,000 tonnes of crude in the worst oil wreck in British waters for 26 years. March 31, 1994, UAE: 15,900 tonnes of crude oil leaks into the Arabian Sea after the Panamanian-flagged Seki collided with the UAE tanker Baynunah 10 miles off the UAE port of Fujairah. (Reuters UK)
Chile aims to clear fuel slick from Antarctic ship Nov 28, 2007
King George Island lies about 700 miles (1,127 km) south of Cape Horn, the tip of South America, and is the largest of the South Shetland islands. (Reporting by Antonio de la Jara; writing by Pav Jordan; editing by Cynthia Osterman)). (Reuters UK)
Are polar cruises safe? Not all ships are equal. Nov 28, 2007
November 2007: The MS Explorer sank off the South Shetland Islands in the Antarctic Ocean. All 154 passengers and crew were rescued. (Christian Science Monitor)
Shipwrecked British Tourists Home Nov 27, 2007
All 154 tourists and crew abandoned the Explorer on Friday before it sank near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina. Among them were 24 Britons but it is not known how many have chosen to come on or continue their holiday. (Sky News)
Passenger ship strikes iceberg in Antarctic Nov 27, 2007
Arnvid Hansen, captain of the Nordnorge, said the ship was heading for the South Shetland Islands. "We're working at letting the passengers off there and there will be airplanes coming to pick them up when the weather improves," he said in a ship-to-shore phone interview with The Canadian Press. (Globe and Mail)
Workers rescued from burning oil platform Nov 26, 2007
Some 116 of the 159 people aboard the remote Thistle Alpha platform, 120 miles northwest of Britains Shetland Islands, were taken off the platform by seven rescue helicopters, said the Health and Safety Executive. advertisement. (MSNBC -- International)
Shipwrecked couple on way home Nov 26, 2007
The Explorer sank on Friday after being damaged close to the South Shetland Islands. The tour group had embarked from Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, on 11 November for a 19-day "Spirit of Shackleton" cruise through the Drake Passage, costing from around $8,000 (3,900) per cabin. (BBC News -- UK)
Oil Rig Fire in Shetlands Extinguished, Rescuers Say (Update1) Nov 26, 2007
The platform is 120 miles (193 kilometers) northeast of the Shetland Islands, between the U.K. and Norway. The U.K. Coastguard was called at 8:10 a.m. local time ``to report that assistance was needed,'' the Southampton-based Maritime and Coastguard Agency said in an e-mailed statement today. (Bloomberg)
Oil platform fire under control; rescue continues Nov 26, 2007
The Thistle Alpha platform is located about 200 kilometres northwest of Britain's Shetland Islands, which are themselves north of Scotland. "This is just about as remote as it gets," said RAF spokesperson Michael Mulford. (CTV.ca)
Last from Antarctica shipwreck reach Chile Nov 26, 2007
King George Island lies about 1,127 kilometres south of Cape Horn, the tip of South America, and is the largest of the South Shetland islands. Recommend this article. (Globe and Mail)
Stricken ship evacuated off Antarctica Nov 26, 2007
The British coast guard said it was told at 12:24 a.m. EST of the incident involving the 2,646-ton Explorer near the South Shetland Islands and Graham Land, an Antarctic peninsula. Rescue centers in Norfolk, Va. (Yahoo News)
Rescued passengers of cruise ship Explorer leave Antarctica Nov 25, 2007
Some of the passengers were sleeping in their cabins and others were having drinks as the ship neared the South Shetland Islands. About 11:30 p.m., Captain Bengt Wiman said he felt a buckle that did not feel quite right. (Boston Globe)
Is Antarctica Safe? Nov 25, 2007
The Antarctica expedition vessel Explorer sank today, November 24, having hit an iceberg just off the South Shetland Islands 24 hours ago. Fortunately there was no loss of life and luckily for the passengers and crew, a vessel, Nordnorge, came to the rescue, but the incident is a reminder that cruising to Antarctica, one of the world's most fragile and remote regions, carries a strong element of risk. (Suite101.com)
Passengers arrive in Chile Nov 25, 2007
Everyone on board the Explorer - which hit an iceberg off the coast of the Southern Shetland Islands - had to clamber on to life rafts to escape the vessel before it went down. Explorer has now completely sunk. (Sky News)
* `Explorer' passengers get more thrill than expected Nov 25, 2007
Its reinforced hull gashed and taking on water, the MS Explorer slipped beneath the waves on Friday evening, about 20 hours after its pre-dawn accident near the South Shetland Islands, the Chilean navy said. Initial reports suggested only a small hole was punched into the hull, but the Argentine navy later said in a statement it observed "significant" damage. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Cruise ship sinks off Antarctica Nov 25, 2007
At least 10 Australians were on the ship, the Explorer, which went down in the icy seas near the South Shetland islands yesterday. All 154 people on board were eventually rescued by another vessel and taken to nearby military bases. (Sydney Morning Herald)
All Safe After Frigid Cruise Ship Rescue Nov 25, 2007
Its reinforced hull gashed and taking on water, the MS Explorer slipped beneath the waves Friday evening, about 20 hours after its pre-dawn accident near the South Shetland Islands, the Chilean navy said ... Hansen said his ship was about five hours away from the Explorer, which started taking on water near the South Shetland Islands and Graham Land, an Antarctic peninsula, when he received the distress call. (WTKR.com, VA)
Spill from Antarctic shipwreck poses serious pollution threat Nov 25, 2007
The stricken Explorer is now listing at 45 degrees near the South Shetland Islands, off the Argentinian coast, Sky news reported. SANTIAGO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chilean Navy participated on Friday in a successful international operation rescuing a cruise liner's 100 passengers and 54 crew members after the boat crashed against an iceberg in the Antarctic Ocean. (Xinhuanet, China)
Passengers, crew rescued from sinking ship Nov 25, 2007
The Explorer finally slipped beneath the waves Friday evening, about 20 hours after the predawn accident near Antarctica's South Shetland Islands, the Chilean navy confirmed ... Passenger ship Explorer reported problems near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina. (CNN -- World)
Sinking Liner Evacuated Off Antarctica Nov 25, 2007
The entire vessel finally slipped beneath the waves Friday evening, about 20 hours after the predawn accident near Antarctica's South Shetland Islands, the Chilean navy said. No injuries were reported although passengers reportedly endured subfreezing temperatures for several hours as they waited in bobbing lifeboats for a Norwegian liner that took them to a Chilean military base in the region. (Newsmax)
Liner rescues 154 after cruise ship hits iceberg Nov 24, 2007
The accident occurred near King George Island, part of Antarctica's South Shetland Islands, shortly after midnight yesterday, officials said. Hayes said 91 passengers had been aboard, including at least 23 Britons, 17 Dutch, 13 Americans, and 10 Canadians. (Boston Globe)
Ice-rescue tourists to fly home Nov 24, 2007
All 91 passengers, nine guides and 54 crew members were safely evacuated to lifeboats, and then to another ship, after the Explorer was holed close to the South Shetland Islands, in the Antarctic Ocean. It listed, lay on its side for some hours and by Friday night the Chilean navy said it had sunk. (BBC News -- UK)
Stricken ship evacuated Nov 24, 2007
The British coast guard said it was told at 12:24 a.m. EST of the incident involving the 2,646-ton Explorer near the South Shetland Islands and Graham Land, an Antarctic peninsula. An Argentine rescue and command center received a first distress call at 11:30 p.m. EST Thursday from the Explorer amid reports it was taking on water through the hull despite its onboard pumps, said Capt. Juan Pablo Panichini, an Argentine navy spokesman. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Cruise ship hits ice off Antarctica; all rescued Nov 24, 2007
The Chilean navy said the entire MS Explorer finally slipped beneath the waves Friday evening, about 20 hours after the predawn accident near Antarctica's South Shetland Islands ... Chilean navy image shows the Explorer capsized near the South Shetland Islands on Friday. (USA Today -- Travel)
154 Rescued after Antarctic Cruise Ship Hits Ice Nov 24, 2007
According to the BBC, First Officer Peter Svensson told Reuters: "We were passing through ice as usual. But this time something hit the hold and we got a little leakage downstairs. Related reports from agencies: More than 150 passengers and crew were rescued after an expedition cruise ship struck what is believed to be an iceberg and threatened to sink in the Southern Ocean 700 miles south-east of Cape Horn yesterday. Twenty-three British holidaymakers, who paid up to 4,500 each in the hope of... (Daijiworld.com)
Rescuers save 150 in ship drama Nov 24, 2007
The South Shetland Islands lie about 120km north of the Antarctic Peninsula and has been part of the British Antarctic Territory since 1962, although they are also claimed by Argentina and Chile Rescue centres in Virginia in the US and Ushuiia in Argentina are co-ordinating rescue efforts. Source: Agencies. (Aljazeera.Net)
Passengers and crew rescued after cruise ship strikes object in Antarctic waters Nov 24, 2007
No injuries were reported, and evacuees from the Liberian-flagged Explorer were boarding another cruise ship, Endeavor, near the South Shetland Islands, before being transferred later to a larger ship, said Henry Purbrick, watch officer at the Coast Guard center in Falmouth, England ... The incident was reported near the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic peninsula of Graham Land, at 62 degrees 24 minutes south latitude and 57 degrees 16 minutes west longitude, the Coast Guard said. (International Herald Tribune)
154 evacuated safely from cruise ship after it strikes ice off Antarctica Nov 24, 2007
The Canadian ship MS Explorer, its hull gashed with a fist-sized hole by the ice, listed so severely that aerial photographs showed it nearly on its side amid ice floes hours after the pre-dawn accident off Antarctica's South Shetland Islands. Arnvid Hansen, captain of the Norwegian liner Nordnorge, said his vessel ferried the shipwrecked crew and mostly American, British and Dutch passengers to a Chilean air force base on King George Island, in Antarctic waters near southernmost tip of South... (International Herald Tribune)
Aussies from Antarctic cruise to go home Nov 24, 2007
They were evacuated yesterday from the Explorer, a 2,400-tonne vessel, after it ran into trouble near the South Shetland Islands in the Antarctic Ocean, and began to sink. They were first put on rigid and rubber lifeboats and then taken to the Norwegian ship Nord Norge. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
A Titanic tale of survival Nov 24, 2007
The 100 passengers - including the Australians and people from Britain, Canada, the Netherlands and the US - and most of the crew from the stricken Explorer were picked up safely after the Titanic-style accident in frigid seas near the South Shetland Islands yesterday. The captain and another senior officer stayed on board the Liberian-registered ship but escaped before the ship went down a few hours after it struck the iceberg. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
154 rescued in Antarctic Ocean Nov 24, 2007
The stricken Explorer is now listing at 45 degrees near the South Shetland Islands, off the Argentinian coast, Sky news reported. The 100 passengers and 54 crew were evacuated on lifeboats and after enduring temperatures of minor 5 degree Celsius. (Xinhuanet, China)
Cruise ship sinking in Antarctic waters Nov 24, 2007
Passenger ship Explorer reported problems near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina. The area is in a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. (CNN -- Law)
Ship Reported Sinking in Antarctica Nov 23, 2007
The incident was reported near the South Shetland Islands and Graham Land, an Antarctic peninsula, the Coast Guard said. Passengers and crew were boarding a cruise ship, Endeavor, and were expected to be transferred later to a larger ship, the Nord Norge, said Henry Purbrick, watch officer at the Coast Guard center in Falmouth, England. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Passengers saved from sinking Antarctic liner Nov 23, 2007
The ship, called the M/S Explorer, is listing to 25 degrees near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina, after hitting an iceberg. The captain and the chief officer of the vessel are understood to still be on board, but all of the other 152 passengers have been evacuated. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
BRITS RESCUED FROM SINKING CRUISELINER Nov 23, 2007
Six crew members are still on board the stricken MV Explorer, near the South Shetland Islands, off the Argentinian coast. 2,400-tonne vessel Explorer. (Sky News)
Antarctic cruise liner hits iceberg, ships rescue 150 Nov 23, 2007
The 100 passengers and most of the 54 crew from the MS Explorer were picked up safely after the Titanic-style accident near the South Shetland islands, officials from international coastguard and navy services said. The captain and another senior officer stayed on board the Liberian-registered Explorer but it was not immediately known if it was sinking, the officials said. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Passengers escape sinking Antarctic ship Nov 23, 2007
Two passenger boats in the area were picking up the 154 occupants of the Explorer from the lifeboats they used to escape the ship, which ran into problems near the south Shetland Islands ... The South Shetland Islands lie about 120 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Voyager amazes with feat Nov 15, 2007
By following the never-ending twilight of the Antarctic, he determined the approximation of the southern ice cap, permitting a dangerous fogbound passage through Drakes Passage between Chile and the Shetland Islands. A fly landing on deck meant land was near. (News & Observer -- Sports)
To the ends of the earth Nov 9, 2007
Explore the South Shetland Islands along the way, including remote Penguin Island ... North SeaG.A.P Adventures takes up to 106 passengers on its low-impact M/S Explorer from Edinburgh to the Norwegian coaststopping at the Orkneys, Shetland Islands, Bear Island, and Svalbard. (MSNBC -- Travel)
North Sea surge brings flood risk Nov 9, 2007
UK government warned large areas of Norfolk and Kent coasts were at risk of severe flooding and the Met Office warned of gusts of up to 145km/h (90mph) for the Orkney and Shetland islands in Scotland. Families along the Norfolk coast have been protecting their homes. (BBC News -- Europe)
Ghanaian Crew On 155m Cocaine Ship Oct 21, 2007
The Opnor should have been scrapped five years ago after being involved in an accident in the port of Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, in which a Polish seaman was killed. But it ended up in the Caribbean where it was bought by the drugs barons. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Ritter embraces heartland rock Oct 9, 2007
"That was amazing," says the 30-year-old Ritter, who got the news of King's Entertainment Weekly column while on tour in the Shetland Islands, northeast of Scotland. "I was playing in a 400-year-old manor-house-turned-hotel that was supposed to have its own ghosts, so it was the coolest way to find out about that.". (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Does Your Sheltie Chase Cars? Sep 4, 2007
Today's Shelties, however, don't reside primarily in the Shetland Islands where the sheep are readily available to herd for exercise and purpose. Because of their ideal natures and medim size, most live in cities and suburbs, as well as rural locations. (Suite101.com)
How green is your High Street? Sep 3, 2007
" Tesco is also experimenting with new energy efficient technologies at four of its "environment stores". They have doors on fridges, energy efficient light bulbs and a system for retrieving the cold air lost from fridges which is re-used in the air conditioning. That, says Tesco's Trevor Datson, saves "something like 10% to 15% of the energy that we need to cool our stores by reclaiming this cold air from the refrigeration". ETHICAL SOURCING By Adam Harcourt-Webster Sustainable sourcing of the... (BBC News -- Science)
Scots education outspends England Aug 24, 2007
The local authority with the highest expenditure per primary pupils was Western Isles Council at 7,869, while for secondary pupils it was in the Shetland Islands, with 10,158. Stirling has the lowest expenditure per primary school pupil at 3,587, while Dumfries and Galloway spends the lowest amount per secondary pupil, 4,966. (Scotsman)
Scottish, Shetland music thrives at local day camp Aug 4, 2007
Eunice Henderson, a traditional fiddle teacher from the Shetland Islands, joined Gilly Simpson, a classical and fiddle teacher from Dundee, Scotland, and Hank Roberts, a Grammy-award winning cellist from Ithaca, at Hawthorne Valley. To get the rest of the story every day, subscribe to the Register Star. (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Cruise lines tap Antarctica Jul 20, 2007
" Meulien, whose recent cookbook, "Flavors of the Mediterranean," can be found in kitchens across the globe, is onboard twice a year to conduct week-long training programs with each ship's culinary staff. Regent explorations Guests yearning to explore the largely unknown continent of Antarctica, meanwhile, can now choose from four new Regent departure dates - Nov. 8 and 24; Dec. 20 and Feb. 25, 2008. Each of the 16-night cruises will depart from the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina.... (Marco Island Sun-Times, FL)
Will Brent overtake WTI? Jun 10, 2007
It also refers to the formation layers Broom, Rannoch, Etive, Ness and Tarbert, which are named after the near-by Shetland Islands. Since ICE runs the benchmark Brent contract, it was obviously delighted. (Economic Times)
North Sea's lost world warning Apr 24, 2007
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have been using oil exploration technology to build a map of the once-inhabited area that now lies below the North Sea - stretching from the east coast of Britain up to the Shetland Islands and across to Scandinavia. Terrifying. (BBC News -- Science)
Great deals on ecotourist hot spots Apr 20, 2007
From here you sail to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with wildlife viewing and visits to scientific bases. The $2,550 savings refer to single cabins on the December 10 trip. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Temperatures soar on hottest day of the year Apr 16, 2007
In Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, where the sun has yet to penetrate, temperatures lingered around 9C.. Post this story to. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Capsized ship salvage op underway Apr 16, 2007
The Bourbon Dolphin capsized approximately 75 nautical miles north-west of the Shetland Islands on Thursday night. A 194ft anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, it is owned by the France-based Bourbon company. (InTheNews.co.uk)
Memorial service held after ship capsizes in North Sea Apr 15, 2007
Survivors of the incident involving the Norwegian vessel Bourbon Dolphin and the relatives of the dead and missing gathered on a beach on the Shetland Islands, off Scotland's northern coast, for a short service, conducted in Norwegian ... The vessel overturned Thursday about 75 nautical miles (86 miles; 140 kilometers) west of the Shetland Islands. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Boy, 15, among eight dead in capsize Apr 14, 2007
"Reidar Vetvik, 65, a Norwegian who runs a cafe in Lerwick, on the Shetland Islands, named the captain of the vessel as Odne Remoy, adding: "The father and son were on the bridge of the vessel when it overturned. "The pressure on the chain, with the currents, pulled the boat over. The crew were thrown into the water. They were wearing lifejackets and some managed to get on to a liferaft that opened. But it was very cold.". (Telegraph.co.uk)
After radio host Don Imus is fired for sexist remarks, is rap next in the crosshairs? Apr 14, 2007
People were pulling off to the side of the road and running out, trying to catch them," Joyner said.Hope fades for rescue of 5 missing crew from capsized Norwegian ship off ScotlandLONDON (AP) -- Rescuers said Friday they had all but given up hope of finding five crewmen alive after their ship capsized off northern Scotland.Three other sailors were confirmed dead in the accident. Seven crew members from the Norwegian oil rig support vessel Bourbon Dolphin were rescued and were being treated at a... (North County Times)
Search for missing continues in Scotland ship accident Apr 14, 2007
The ship, carrying 15 people from Norway,overturned west of Scotland's Shetland Islands for unknown reasons. Three people have been confirmed dead, while seven were rescued and are being treated in hospital. (CBC News)
Crew members still missing after Scottish oil rig accident Apr 13, 2007
An oil rig supply ship has capsized off the Shetland Islands north of Scotland, killing at least three people. Ten Norwegian crew members were found after the accident last night. (ABC News Online, Australia -- World)
3 dead, 5 missing after oil rig support ship capsizes off Scotland Apr 13, 2007
The Bourbon Dolphin capsized west of the Shetland Islands, off Scotland's northern tip ... The ship capsized at about 5 p.m. (1600GMT) and remained on the surface of the calm ocean in clear weather about 75 nautical miles west of the Shetland islands, coast guard spokesman Mark Clark said. (International Herald Tribune)
Oil rig support ship capsizes off Scotland Apr 13, 2007
Seven other crew members were rescued and were being treated at a hospital in the Shetland Islands ... Two unidentified survivors from a capsized Norwegian vessel are assisted by emergency workers upon their arrival in Lerwick, Shetland islands on Thursday ... The ship capsized at about 5 p.m. and remained on the surface of the calm ocean in clear weather about 120 kilometres west of the Shetland islands, coast guard spokesman Mark Clark said. (Globe and Mail -- International)
Ship capsizes off Scotland: three die Apr 13, 2007
A further seven personnel were rescued from the Bourbon Dolphin, a Norwegian anchor-handling supply tug, which capsized 121 km north of Scotland's Shetland Islands, a spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said. As night set in, a rescue operation involving two helicopters and three nearby vessels was scaling down but a naval diving unit remained on the scene with divers planning to continue the search, said Sophie Turner. (The Age)
Britain basks in Easter sun Apr 7, 2007
With the exception of the Shetland Islands - with temperatures around 6C (43F) - most of the country will benefit from a band of high pressure until the middle of next week, with temperatures way above the 12C (54F) average for this time of year. Met Office national forecaster Tony Burgess said the hottest regions were likely to be south-west England and south Wales, with the West Country hotter than the Costas, Naples and Los Angeles - as holidaymakers found at Bournemouth yesterday. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
