Search Results

TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR PENTLAND FIRTH ROUTE

The NorthLink ro-ro ferry MV Hamnavoe, which operates on the Pentland Firth route between Scrabster and Stromness, will sail for dry-dock in Germany after completing her final scheduled sailing from Scrabster on Sunday evening (May 16).

The vessel is bound for the Lloyd Werft yard in Bremerhaven, where remedial work on the A-frame structures which support the propellor shafts will be carried out prior to the start of the main tourist season in the Northern Isles.

The work, which can only be carried out in a dry-dock environment, is expected to take approximately one week, with Hamnavoe’s return provisionally planned for the 0900hrs sailing from Stromness – Scrabster on Monday, May 24.

During this period, the Pentland Firth route will be served by MV Hascosay, currently operating on the Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick route. Hascosay, which recently underwent a comprehensive overhaul and re-fit, will operate a car, freight and limited passenger service on the existing Hamnavoe schedule.

Although employed as a freight vessel by NorthLink, Hascosay has passenger facilities. The vessel underwent an extensive refurbishment and overhaul following her purchase by NorthLink early in 2002. Thereafter, she was chartered by Caledonian MacBrayne and operated on the Stornoway - Ullapool route - where she carried a small number of passengers each day - before reporting for NorthLink duty in Aberdeen.

Gareth Crichton, NorthLink’s commercial director, said: “We felt it was important to grasp this opportunity and place Hamnavoe in dry-dock before the increases in summer passenger traffic really take effect. We have conducted extensive searches of the charter markets for a suitable replacement vessel without success. This is a particularly difficult time to source replacement vessels as seasonal-only services absorb much of the supply and this situation would only have worsened in the coming weeks and months.

“The Aberdeen – Kirkwall - Lerwick routes are already very busy and our options to reschedule our sailings on those routes were very limited. Utilising the Hascosay is a viable option that gives us the capacity to carry all cars and freight presented, whilst making alternative arrangements for passengers if required. This is a short-term measure and we will do everything possible to ensure a convenient and comfortable service for our customers during Hamnavoe’s absence.”

Due to Hascosay’s limited passenger capacity – which NorthLink is currently in discussions with the Maritime Coastguard Agency to increase – NorthLink has made arrangements to work with John o’ Groats Ferries for the duration of Hamnavoe’s dry-docking to carry passengers between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. Thus, passengers who cannot be accommodated on a Hascosay sailing will be transported by bus between Stromness and Burwick and between Scrabster and John o’ Groats so they can make use of the 40-minute crossing between Burwick and the mainland.

The shuttle bus service will be available for passengers travelling on scheduled NorthLink sailings departing Stromness at 0900hrs, Scrabster at 1200hrs and the 1630hrs service from Stromness.

MF Clare, NorthLink’s other freight vessel, will cover the freight service between Aberdeen and the islands whilst Hascosay is employed on the Pentland Firth. 

Passengers with any queries about Northlink’s service during the dry-dock period should phone 0845 6000 449.

For queries about freight sailings, please see www.northlinkferries.co.uk/old-freight-section.html or call either 01856 850 239 or 01856 850 158.