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Well said Hjasga. I resisted responding before to this cruel and hurtful thread previously as I am married to Jane. But to start up again on the new boys learning their trade is simply not fair. I am sure we all have moments in our jobs when things don't go to plan or we do make mistakes, but we are not subjected to this nonsense. I have been a keen " Shetlinker" for a long time but find these anonymous negative ramblings rather sickening. James Nicolson

Well said. You would think these folk could only recieve one station on their radios. If you they don't like it, re-tune or switch off. Simples! Radio Shetland has reared many great presenters who have gone on to do well. It's great to hear "weel kent" voices on major radio and television programmes/sports etc. What makes it local and special is the variety of presenters, the fact there are a mixture of local and non local voices. The occasional mistake or fit of the giggles is the best bits about it. The presenters all do a good job sometimes under difficult circumstances. As for Jane, well she's just a star. Some folk really need to get a life and get out from behind their keyboards a bit more often. Wouldn't it be great to stick them behind a mike for a night and see how they get on! They might then appreciate how difficult it can be.

http://myshetland.co.uk/my-little-helpers/ Shetland pony snuffly noseys

Apparently they are the best that was available on the market at the time that Northlink were looking to hire them. There are not many off the shelf freight boats that can fit the criteria, we have a special bit of water between us and aberdeen along with the size and draught that can fit aberdeen harbour. The passenger boats are built for the route but the cargo ships are chartered in and are underpowered. The freight boats need to go out in a F8>F9 but maybe they need to be purpose built to fit our route. Perhaps the Scottish Government should take this into account as well as having purpose built passenger boats built for the route. This needs to be discussed and clarified before the new contract is comes up for renewal so we can sort this matter out. The passenger boat can stay in port for the comfort of the passengers but we need to get our exports down the road to Aberdeen in worse weather than ties up the passenger ferry.

If we're going to drag up a discussion from 5 years ago, let's not get personal about the presenters. You can make your points without being nasty or abusive. For discussion of radio stations, programming, and digital radio technologies. The previous incarnation of this thread from 2009 which was plainly for no good has been removed. Why? Due to it's unnecessary negative anonymous comments which do nothing to engender sensible or worthwhile debate. The posts since this thread has been revived are left intact for clarities sake. Carry on.

IS it just me that recalls the amount of criticism Northlink took in the first 2 or 3 winters after taking over from P&O for sailing in rough seas? "Oh! It's disgraceful, they shouldn't have sailed, chairs fell over" Is a synopsis of the comments at the time. Now they're getting criticism for not sailing in rough seas. Make yer flaming minds up critics. Grrr

Storms should be the dwelling place for those there by necessity - or the stupid.

Ghostie: I was on her! The Friday night sailing was pulled forward to 10AM that day as the skipper reckoned any later and he wouldn't be able to guarantee the run, it was, er, interesting. I've been out on bigger seas, but certainly not on a ferry. A few beers and some scran and then into me pit. Luckily, there was only a handful of passengers and a fair amount of freight, I wouldn't want to have been taking my first ever sea trip on that run....... I reckon the Skipper was keen to ensure being able to get into Hatston. When we tied up there, it was interesting to see the reaction of some of the passengers as they came up from their cabins, hanging onto the handrails, only to realise that the ship was actually tied up and not still ploughing the raging Main! There was certainly a bit of 'movement' in the water...... Journey time was 21hrs down to Aberdhabi. As an aside, a quick observation upon the delayed AB departure (Wed 21:00) return trip (alongside Lerwick today 07:30): The ferry was held back by Aberdeen Harbour deciding it was not suitable conditions for shippping to enter or exit until gone 21:00. Not the skipper, Aberdeen Harbour. Armchair mariners, please note.......

This thread is a fairly sad example of the nasty undertones Shetlink can have. The new recruits at Radio Shetland are doing a fine job - to my knowledge both are youngsters just starting out, to call them "awful" is pathetic.

Colin, Shetland Youth Voice is predominantly voluntary. Young people stand to represent their area, as a councillor might, but they're not paid anything. There will be some level of support from within the council, but mostly administrative and for advertising whenever elections come around - I highly doubt there is any paid job solely relating to the organisation.

Shetland should feel good they have someone willing to run their own station. It seems by quite an interesting fellow.

Given the prolonged stormy conditions, Well done to northlink in throwing away the timetable and basically sailing when they can. I see on AIS the Hrossey managed a 10 hour trip from Lerwick to aberdeen on Thursday followed by a 5 hour turnaround. And before the 'XYZ would sail every night'/fuel saving/crew change brigade turn up, you've said it all above so save your index finger. Given the crap conditions just now they seem to be trying their best and it must be pretty uncomfortable for the crew as well.

The " Neptune " off Sumburgh Head this morning heading for Lerwick met by a speed-boat heading sooth ! :- http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/12119900085_a419c1bb15_c.jpgNeptune & Hrossey IMG_4935 by Ronnierob, on Flickr

I doot der will be some panic buying da day. Time fir a hock ida deepfreeze.