Scrabster to remain without passenger ferry until Hamnavoe back in action
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SERCO Northlink has admitted it won’t be commissioning another passenger vessel for the Scrabster/Stromness route before the Hamnavoe is repaired, leaving the far north’s busiest port without a ferry service for almost a month.
The firm’s managing director Stuart Garrett said the closer it came for the Hamnavoe to be back in action on May 24, the less likely another vessel would be available.
The disruption to the lifeline route has come as a blow to businesses based at Scrabster and Thurso which demanded a replacement passenger vessel was put in place as the tourist season got under way.
Businesses have reported a downturn in custom as a result of the absence of the passenger link with hotels and bed and breakfast establishments on both sides of the Pentland Firth reporting cancellations.
Mr Garrett said it is unlikely passenger services will be reinstated until next Friday but measures were in place to assure customers could travel between Caithness and Orkney.
“At present it looks unlikely that an alternative vessel will be found to operate the Pentland Firth service,” he said. “However, we continue our search for alternative tonnage and a number of measures are in place in order to minimise disruption for our passengers and freight customers.
“We are working closely with both Pentland Ferries and John O’Groat Ferries to provide alternative travel arrangements for our passengers, including courtesy bus travel to and from Pentland Ferries’ terminal.”
Mr Garrett added: “Pentland Ferries have also put on additional sailings across the Pentland Firth to ensure there is capacity to meet with the expected number of passengers.
“Orkney remains open for business via Caithness and we advise passengers to call or visit NorthLink Ferries as soon as possible so that we can help with alternative arrangements.”
The ferry has been out of operation since April 25 after it suffered a broken crankshaft to its starboard engine. It was transported from Stromness to Rosyth where engineers have been involved in repairing the vessel after importing a new crankshaft from Germany.
Mr Garrett said repairs to the ferry are progressing and that the ferry should be back in action on schedule.
He said: “The new crankshaft has been fitted into the starboard main engine and associated engineering works are continuing.”
A temporary freight service was put in place on May 3 since when the Helliar has been making two return crossings a day between Scrabster and Stromness.
Pentland Ferries has been accommodating displaced passengers from Scrabster on its service between Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope. Manager Kathryn Banks said the firm had no problems accommodating the passengers and hoped it would raise the profile of its service.
“There has been only one day that we have had to put on extra sailings as a result of the Hamnavoe situation,” she said.
“However, we have seen the number of customers rise during this period of time and we hope that it will bring more long-term benefits and make people more aware of the service that exists at Gills Bay.”
Serco Northlink was awarded the contract to operate the Scrabster/Stromness service in a £243 million deal over six years. As part of a penalty clause in the contract, the firm is facing being fined almost £450,000 during the estimated 27 days the Hamnavoe will be out of action.
