Gastro bug outbreak hits 130 passengers on ship

The passengers fell ill with a gastroenteritis-type illness on the Fred Olsen-operated Black Watch ship which sailed from Fife to Scandinavia and the Russian city of St Petersburg. The cruise started on September 8 with 778 passengers, and 29 people were still ill when it returned to Rosyth yesterday where specialist cleaners and health inspectors boarded to check and clean the ship.

A spokeswoman for Fred Olsen said: “Every effort was made to contain the illness, in accordance with onboard medical protocols. Black Watch returned to Rosyth on Friday, where she is currently undergoing an intensive cleaning and sanitisation programme which includes a complete ship fumigation by professional external contractors.

“Representatives from the local health authorities and Rosyth Port Health have been on board the ship and have confirmed they are satisfied with the containment and preventative measures being undertaken by the ship.”

Fred Olsen said passengers due to set off on the Black Watch for an Iberian cruise had been informed of the situation. It was hoped the ship could depart last night.