Just before 0500BST on Wednesday the Inverness-registered vessel Highland Carrier contacted Shetland Coastguard to report that it was drifting south of Lerwick.
It is thought that cargo, rope or nets became tangled in the ferry's propeller while it was towing a barge.
The Highland Carrier is expected to be towed into Walls Harbour, Shetland, by the lifeboat later in the day.
Passengers rescued from pleasure boat
Ten people were airlifted to safety after their pleasure boat started taking in water south of the Island of Ulva, near Mull on Tuesday evening.
The skipper of the MV Force, who has not been named, was able to beach the vessel on a remote stretch of coastline known as Traighe Beach and radio for help.
A Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter from Prestwick and Clyde Coastguard's Tobermory Lifeboat reached the scene just before 1830 BST.
The 10 passengers, including eight women and childrenwere transferred to the Ulva Ferry terminal in Tobermory, Mull.
A coastguard spokeswoman said: "This appears to have been a privately-owned cabin cruiser which got into difficulties.
"Everybody on board the vessel has been rescued and no-one has suffered any injuries as a result of the incident."
Biker killed in Paisley crash
A 41-year-old motorcyclist was killed on Tuesday after he lost control of his vehicle in Kirkhill Brae, Neilston, Paisley.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said no other vehicles appear to have been involved in the accident which occurred shortly before 1800 BST.
She said the man sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he died shortly after arriving.
Police are appealing for witnesses. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
Detonators stolen from van
A dozen specialist detonators have been stolen from East Lothian, police say.
A van belonging to Scotweld, a company which carries out railway maintenance work, was broken into last week while parked in Prestonpans.
The detonators are round, yellow, the size of a coca cola can and in a red container with a white top.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "The detonators are used as stop signals on rail tracks to warn workers of oncoming trains and can be set off by throwing small bricks or similar objects at them."
Ayrshire woman dies in fire
A 44-year-old woman has died after fire ripped through her home in Ayrshire on Monday.
The woman, who has not been named, was discovered by firefighters shortly after 3,30pm in a bedroom in her detached house at Kirkford in Stewarton.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene.
She said that no other person was in the property at the time although it is believed that the woman there with her husband and 15-year-old son.
The spokeswoman added: "Inquiries into the cause of the fire are continuing, however, at this stage there would appear to be no suspicious circumstances."
A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.