A man reported missing from a North Sea ferry, sparking a large-scale air and sea search, has been named by police.
Craig Townsley, 22, from Shetland, was last seen on the Shetland to Aberdeen overnight ferry at around 3.30am yesterday.
His disappearance from NorthLink's MV Hjaltland prompted a major search of an extensive area off the north-east coast of Scotland.
The operation, co-ordinated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, was eventually stood down at 8pm yesterday after failing to trace Mr Townsley.
At its height, the operation had involved a number of commercial vessels, three RNLI lifeboat teams and two helicopters.
Police said the case remains a missing person inquiry and Mr Townsley's family have been made aware of developments.
Detective Inspector Stewart Mackie said: "Our officers are still treating this as a missing person inquiry which remains ongoing.
"However our initial inquiries indicate that Mr Townsley may have gone overboard."
The RAF helicopter Rescue 137, from Lossiemouth, and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 102, from Shetland, joined the search yesterday, along with RNLI crews from Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Aberdeen, as well as 22 merchant boats.
The Peterhead RNLI lifeboat reached its berth at Peterhead Harbour at 9.40pm.
Coxswain Andy Brown said: ''Good team work and co-operation from every vessel made the task of co-ordinating the search much easier.''
The ferry, carrying more than 160 passengers, was getting close to Aberdeen when it raised the alarm.
It retraced its route to help with the search but later docked at Aberdeen.
The search focused on a long, thin stretch of water on the ferry route from just north of Aberdeen up to Rattray Head, between Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
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