Council raises concerns over dry dock cover for lifeline service

Orkney Islands Council has raised its concerns with the Scottish Government over the unsatisfactory arrangements put in place for the period when the ferry Hamnavoe is on refit.

From January 6-23, the Hamnavoe will be replaced by the 12-passenger freight vessel Helliar on the Stromness to Scrabster route.

“A vessel with far greater passenger capacity should have been sourced to stand in on the Stromness to Scrabster service,” said OIC convener, Councillor Steven Heddle. “This is a vitally important lifeline route for Orkney and the refit arrangements put in place for January are wholly unsatisfactory in our view.”

Over the past week the council has been in discussion with senior officials from Transport Scotland.

“We have stressed that Orkney faces a major reduction in service while the Hamnavoe is in dry dock,” added Councillor Heddle.

“We have also expressed our concern about the lack of communication with the council over an issue of great significance to Orkney. At the very least, we should have been alerted that the Helliar was being considered as the stand-in vessel and given an opportunity to express our opinion before a decision was made.”

He added: “However, our dialogue with Transport Scotland over the past week has been positive and is continuing. Our main priority now is to ensure that far more suitable arrangements are in place for when the Hamnavoe is next on refit.”