SIGNIFICANT SHORTS : Stricken Russian cruise ship docks safely

A stricken Russian cruise ship docked safely in port yesterday after spending nearly 10 hours drifting in the North Sea with a flooded engine room.

The 4,264-tonne Alla Tarasova was towed into Peterhead by two tugs shortly before 3pm. The ship had been on a cruise from Leith to the Orkney Islands when it ran into trouble off the north-east coast at about 5am. For much of the day, the vessel drifted without power and four rescue helicopters and three lifeboats stood by in case the 71 passengers and 68-strong crew had to be airlifted to safety.