Filla sustains ten inch hole

THE SKERRIES ferry Filla will be out of service for at least two weeks after colliding with the pier at Symbister, on Thursday.

The ferry sustained a ten inch hole at the bow when she ran into and scraped along the concrete pier.

Shetland Islands Council’s ferry service said yesterday (Friday) that the damage was above the waterline. The Filla also sustained a sizable dent further up the vessel.

There were no injuries to passengers or crew, damage to personal property or pollution.

The ferry was on a scheduled run from Skerries to Lerwick when she had to call at Symbister to collect some equipment.

The department is now carrying out an investigation to establish the cause of the collision.

Resources manager Colin Manson said: “Many factors may to be blame including weather, personnel and equipment failure but we will not fully know until the investigation is finished.”

Most passengers onboard the ferry were with their vehicles and carried on to their destinations from Whalsay. The only foot passenger was transferred to a taxi so that she could complete her journey, he added

The Filla was transferred to Lerwick yesterday afternoon. Council’s insurers are now on scene making further assessments.

Meanwhile, the Fivla has taken over the service to Skerries. Ferries services said the ferry timetable would not be affected.