Transport / New relief ferry ‘one of the greatest priorities’ for SIC
SENIOR elected members say all councillors recognise the “real need” to have a new relief inter-island ferry procured and delivered as soon as possible.
It comes amid significant fragility in the fleet, which currently has three vessels in dry dock and a fourth out of action after rope was wound in her propellor.
And the Yell Sound ferry Dagalien, the only vessel running on the key route at the moment, is set to undergo a repair at 1pm today (Tuesday). This may cause some cancellations and delays.
People were also warned on Monday that the Yell Sound service could end up being suspended due to the technical issue.
Councillors say the issues have reinforced the need for a new relief vessel, which Shetland Islands Council (SIC) opened procurement on earlier this year.
The procurement notice suggested a delivery date of 2028 or 2029.
It is proposed that a £10 million capital grant given to the SIC by the Scottish Government for inter-island connectivity would be used towards the cost.
The matter was brought up at a meeting of the SIC’s policy and resources committee this morning (Tuesday) during an item on the council’s asset investment plan.
Environment and transport committee chair Moraig Lyall said every councillor will have their own priorities within the SIC’s list of capital projects.
But she suggested that the new relief ferry is “potentially one of the greatest priorities for us at the moment” due to the fragility in the fleet.
Lyall received assurance from assets, commissioning and procurement manager Robert Sinclair that there will be no hold-ups with the procurement process.
SIC leader Emma Macdonald said “we are all really aware” that the ferry needs to be a priority, while depute leader Gary Robinson said there was a real need to have the new vessel “like yesterday” given the fragility of the service.
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