Helliar covers for Hamnavoe

SERCO NorthLink is to re-establish a freight service across the Pentland Firth, starting on Thursday afternoon.

The lifeline provider was dealt a major blow last week when the Scrabster/Stromness ferry Hamnavoe suffered serious mechanical failure and had to be withdrawn from service.

Since then the company has had to to advise customers to use their Kirkwall to Aberdeen service, or the unsubsidised crossing operated by competitor Pentland Ferries.

The Hamnavoe is now off to Rosyth to get one of her crankshafts replaced and the freighter Helliar will provide a twice daily cargo service.

Hamnavoe is not expected to be back in service until late in May.

The Scottish government revealed this week that Serco NorthLink would be fined more than £15,000 a day for the loss of the passenger service across the firth.

Managing director Stuart Garrett, said: “Now that work is underway to make alterations to the berth at Scrabster Harbour we can confirm a freight operation will operate between Scrabster and Stromness while the Hamnavoe is withdrawn from service.

“This service ensures that businesses can continue to move goods between Orkney and the north of mainland Scotland.

“Serco NorthLink Ferries has consulted with local hauliers over the last few days and they are satisfied that the service will meet their requirements.

“Serco NorthLink Ferries again apologises for the inconvenience that has been caused, however we are now satisfied that both freight and passengers can be fully accommodated on the alternative services that have been put in place by us and with the help of other operators. “