Hatston Pier water supply takes a step forward

A new and enhanced water supply for ships using Hatston Pier have taken a significant step towards completion with the delivery of a new purpose built pumping station.

The 7.5 tonne building that houses the new pumps is capable of delivering fresh water to the pier and is fully fitted with pumps, controls, treatment and monitoring equipment.

Ross-shire Engineering Ltd, based in Muir of Ord, is the main contractor for the project.

In addition to the new pumping station, the project includes two new water storage tanks capable of storing up to half a million litres of fresh water.

The new plant and storage tanks are now undergoing onsite testing and commissioning and should be ready for commercial use in September.

Brian Archibald, the council’s head of marine services, engineering and transportation, said: “The water tanks are a long awaited and a much needed improvement to enhance the Pier and our current water supply.

“The former system that is in place does not have the capabilities to transfer water to large scale commercial vessels at the speed or the quantities that are needed. This new system is a massive improvement.

“Having easy and quick access to fresh water supplies for oil and gas and renewable energy vessels is vital to the commercial development of Orkney. This will also benefit the cruise liners that are coming to Orkney as they will have the option of refilling their water supply here.

“OIC is committed to increasing the number of vessels to Hatston Pier, and without efficient ways of transferring water, we have a limitation to our customer base. This is a big step to attracting more commercial vessels and working towards achieving our long-term goals.”