FOUR cruise ships have made the Firth of Forth their temporary home – while eight members of staff on board one of them have tested positive for coronavirus.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has paused its cruise operations and all sailings until May 23 – its Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch ships have been in the Firth of Forth for more than two weeks now.

The ships are based near Rosyth but can be seen from across the East Lothian coastline, including from places such as North Berwick and Cockenzie and Port Seton.

Peter Deer, managing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Last month, we at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines made the difficult decision to pause our cruise operations voluntarily for a period of time, as many other cruise operators have done.

“In the meantime, we have been working with Forth Ports and have secured safe, temporary anchorages for our ships in the Firth of Forth.

“Each ship will retain a small team on board to continue essential operations, and locals might see the ships move within the river from time to time to carry out their duties.

“We look forward to brighter times ahead and to welcoming our valued guests back on board when the time is right for us all.”

However, eight crew members on board the Black Watch ship have tested positive for Covid-19 and six others are still waiting on test results.

It is understood their treatment is being managed on board the ship and there are no plans for anyone to disembark.

Each crew member is occupying their own cabin, each with a balcony.

There are no social gatherings on board and crew only leave their cabins to perform essential duties such as bridge watch, engine watch and food preparation.

Those who have tested positive or are feeling unwell are not undertaking any duties.

The Braemar ship made headlines last month when it became stranded in the Caribbean with five people on board who had tested positive for the virus.