Pentalina ferry set to return after being granted safety certificate
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The Pentalina has been given the all-clear to make its Pentland Firth comeback.
The boat is being lined up for a temporary return to Caithness/Orkney crossings following a £9 million deal that will see its replacement, Alfred, go on charter to CalMac until early next year.
Ferry operator Pentland Ferries confirmed that the Pentalina had been granted a temporary passenger ship safety certificate (PSSC) by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and had left Belfast on Wednesday morning, bound for Stromness.
Pentland Ferries' managing director Helen Inkster said: “We are very pleased to confirm that the PSSC has now been issued and the Pentalina will return to Orkney, after which the vessel will be prepared to return to service on the Pentland Firth route.
“The dates for vessel changeover and the commencement of the charter of MV Alfred have not yet been set. We are working closely with CalMac Ferries on these arrangements.
"In the meantime, we would like to assure passengers that there will be no disruption to the Pentland Firth service.”
The nine-month CalMac charter was announced in March. Pentland Ferries described it as a prudent short-term move that would allow it to invest in the future of its Caithness/Orkney service.
The aim of the arrangement is to improve resilience on the Clyde and Hebrides network.
Scottish Government investment of around £9 million will cover berthing dues, fuel, commercial charter rate and other costs.
The £14 million Alfred replaced the Pentalina on the Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope route in October 2019.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch launched an investigation after the Alfred ran aground on Swona last summer. The Orkney-bound ferry had 84 passengers and 13 crew on board at the time.
