Ferry inspection reveals impact damage in Swona grounding
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Ferry services between Gills Bay and South Ronaldsay won't return until July 18 after it emerged that the MV Alfred suffered impact damage when it ran aground on Swona.
The Orkney-bound vessel had 84 passengers and 13 crew on board when the incident happened at 2pm on Tuesday in calm conditions.
Pentland Ferries, which operates the £14 million catamaran, said the situation on board the vessel remained calm but confirmed that "a few passengers" sustained injuries.
The company issued a statement today in which it apologised for the disruption and said it was looking at the possibility of bringing the MV Pentalina back into service. The Alfred replaced the Pentalina on the route in 2019.
An initial inspection revealed that the Alfred's port bulbous bow had sustained impact damage when it made contact with the uninhabited island.
While the port bow was grounded, the remainder of the ship remained afloat. After it was confirmed that no water was coming in, the ship was floated off unaided and made its way to St Margaret’s Hope under its own engine power.
Longhope and Thurso RNLI crews were at the scene.
Forty-five passengers, including young children, were transferred to St Margaret’s Hope on the Longhope lifeboat before the Alfred was refloated around 3.30pm.
The ship was escorted to the South Ronaldsay ferry port by tugs and the two lifeboats.
It has been reported that one patient was transferred to hospital.
Pentland Ferries' managing director Helen Inkster, who was appointed to the role last month, said: “Our first priority is the safety of our passengers and, as such, the crew were quick to implement the safety procedures for which they have been trained. Emergency services were called and passengers mustered as per protocol.
“Unfortunately, the impact of the ship grounding did lead to a few passengers sustaining injuries. We understand that the situation on board the vessel remained calm and we thank everyone for their patience and cooperation in difficult circumstances and very much appreciate all those who came forward to offer their assistance.
“On arrival in St Margaret’s Hope, passengers were taken to the Cromarty Hall until the vessel and decks were assessed for damage and vehicles could be retrieved.
“We are very grateful for the prompt action, support and assistance of the emergency services, including HM Coastguard, RNLI Longhope and Thurso lifeboats, police and ambulance services and Orkney Marine Services.
“We also very much appreciate the immediate assistance of the Cromarty Hall, Murray Arms Hotel, Maynes Coaches, Leask Marine, Orkney Local Emergency Coordinating Group and, of course, our own crew and shore-side team who did an exceptional job in difficult and concerning circumstances.
“An internal investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency arrived in Orkney yesterday [July 6] and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch will arrive today [July 7].
“We very much regret the inevitable impact this has had on those on board and also all those with travel plans that have been disrupted. We are working hard to limit the ongoing disruptions and we thank everyone for their understanding.”
Pentland Ferries has extended the suspension of sailings up to and including July 17. Services are expected to resume on Monday, July 18.
The company is making contact with those that were due to travel and providing an automatic refund.
It says "every effort is being made to resolve the situation as soon as possible", including exploring an option to bring the Pentalina back into service following a scheduled period in dry dock.
A spokesperson for the MAIB said today: "The MAIB was notified of the grounding of the ferry Alfred in the Pentland Firth on July 5, 2022, resulting in damage to the vessel, embarked vehicles and passenger injuries.
"A multidisciplinary team of MAIB has arrived in St Margaret’s Hope to commence a preliminary assessment. This will involve assessing the vessel, conducting witness interviews and recovering electronic and documentary evidence in order to determine the next steps.
"The MAIB will update on its intentions once the preliminary assessment of the accident is complete."
An updated statement on Pentland Ferries' website says: "We regret to announce that all sailings have been suspended, up to and including Sunday July 17, due to the grounding of MV Alfred on Tuesday July 5. Our booking office has been overwhelmed by calls. If you were booked to travel during this period, we will be contacting you by email or phone, as soon as possible. Meanwhile, your booking will be cancelled and you will receive an automatic refund. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience."
The incident happened during Maritime Safety Week 2022, which encourages the marine industry to "focus on how we can collectively continue to improve safety across the sector".
The Thurso lifeboat The Taylors was launched at 2.26pm and arrived on the scene at 3.05pm to find the Alfred aground. The Taylors was preparing to take the remaining passengers when the ferry refloated.
Thurso coxswain Gordon Munro took the lifeboat alongside the ferry at St Margaret's Hope and four casualty care trained RNLI crew members boarded the Alfred to help Scottish Ambulance Service staff attend to injured passengers.
The Taylors left at 4.45pm and was back in Scrabster by 6pm.
On its Facebook page, Longhope lifeboat crew said that as well as 45 "somewhat shaken" passengers, a pet snake was transferred.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “At approximately 2pm today, HM Coastguard was alerted to a passenger ferry carrying 97 people on board having gone aground on Swona.
"Thurso and Longhope lifeboats were sent to provide safety cover and begin evacuating the passengers from the ferry to the lifeboat while the ETV Ievoli Black was sent to provide a tow if required.
"The vessel was refloated within an hour and a half before continuing, under its own power, to St Margaret’s Hope. It has been escorted by the two lifeboats as well as two tugs from Orkney.
"Coastguard rescue teams from Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope were also sent to meet the vessel at port.”
Built in Vietnam, the Alfred has been described as the most environmentally friendly ferry in Scotland. It can accommodate 430 passengers and 98 cars, or 54 cars and 12 articulated vehicles/coaches.
