Transport / Reassurance given that ferry service is meeting guidance on electric vehicles
REASSURANCES have been given that guidance on carrying electric vehicles on ferries is being met on Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) fleet.
Ferry operations manager Andrew Inkster told a meeting of Shetland’s community safety and resilience board on Thursday that he was “more than comfortable we are in full compliance” with guidance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Chairman councillor Allison Duncan said the matter had been brought to the board following “considerable dialogue” from former Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart around possible fire risk from electric vehicles on ferries.
Ian Taylor from the SIC’s emergency planning team said external ferry operator Serco NorthLink also meets, and is probably surpassing, requirements.
“I do have a lot of confidence on how they’re managing it,” he said.
When it comes to the SIC’s ferry fleet, Inkster highlighted how the MCA issued new guidance on the matter in 2023.
He said the council was involved in a stakeholder group prior to the document being issued, providing feedback in the process.
Inkster highlighted how the MCA also regularly audits safety procedures on the ferries.
He said there are a number of procedures for fires on board SIC ferries, with crew receiving training, adding that the council has the necessary fire fighting equipment for electric vehicle fires.
Inkster added that there is no additional energy expended in an electric vehicle fire, but two concerns are the duration of ignition and the risk of re-ignition.
He also told the board that guidance also means that assurance would be sought from a “competent person” if any vehicle with damage to its electric battery system tried to board a ferry.
Local Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chief Matt Mason described the relationship with the SIC ferries team as “really positive”.
He said any vehicle fire on a ferry – electric or not – would be a “challenging incident”.
But Mason added that road traffic collisions involving electric vehicles provide a risk.
“This is new technology and ever changing, becoming more commonplace,” he said, adding that the fire service has a “robust approach”.
Taylor meanwhile said Serco NorthLink has specialist fire lances designed for electric vehicles, which can be augmented with a fire blanket.
The meeting also heard that NorthLink asks drivers if their vehicle is electric, which is something that the SIC may look to add into ongoing work to revamp its ferry booking system.
Taylor said people in Shetland should be reassured that transport providers are meeting all guidance on the topic.
Outside of vehicles, Inkster said the council is putting up signs to ensure people do not take e-bikes or scooters into passenger areas and that they remain on deck.
However, he said that mobility scooters are allowed in passenger areas where accessibility allows.
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