Filla due back in service soon after new £200k engine fitted

THE SKERRIES ferry Filla is edging closer to a return to service after a new engine was installed following a breakdown three months ago.

Councillors heard on Monday that the cost of the vessel’s new engine was nearly £200,000.

The Filla lost power from its main port engine on 23 February while en route from Skerries to Vidlin, with no passengers on board at the time.

The vessel proceeded to shore under the power of its starboard engine with no risk to crew, before going under repair with a new engine fitted.

The Filla is still not back in service, with the ferry due to head to dry dock after her engine refit.

Ferry operations and port infrastructure manager Andrew Inkster told a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s environment and transport committee on Monday that commissioning and inspections will take place before the Filla is released her annual dry dock.

She should be back in service in early June.

Meanwhile the council’s spare vessel Fivla has had her port and starboard gearboxes replaced after they reached their “end of life”.

The procurement cost for these was around £140,000.

The spend on the Filla and Fivla was exempt from Shetland Islands Council’s contract standing orders.