Fair Isle ferry unwrapped and could be in Shetland before Christmas

THE NEW Fair Isle ferry has been unwrapped, with hopes she will arrive in Shetland before Christmas.

The tarpaulins were removed from the vessel yesterday (Wednesday) at the boatyard where she has been built in Whitby.

Boatyard staff will continue the final work in the coming weeks, including fitting-out internal spaces and testing systems before sea trials can take place.

The hull and superstructure of the vessel are now substantially complete and painted, and the vessel will soon be lifted by crane from the boatyard into the water by the quayside on the River Esk.

The new ferry will soon replace the current 40-year-old vessel Good Shepherd IV that has served on the crossing between the Fair Isle and the Shetland mainland since 1986.

Meanwhile, work in Fair Isle harbour will continue in the coming months to install the winch house and cradle for the boat noust, to take the vessel out of the water in poor weather.

Advertisement2 of 11

Work is now largely complete on the extended pier and new breakwater at Grutness on the Shetland mainland, with only minor finishing works remaining.

The estimated total cost of the project to replace the vessel and upgrade necessary harbour infrastructure is £45.4 million, funded by £18.6 million from Shetland Islands Council and a grant of £26.8 million from the UK Government’s levelling up fund.

Environment and transport committee chairwoman Moraig Lyall called it a “key milestone for the project”.

“After months under wraps, it’s good to see the new vessel unveiled before the final stages of work take place,” she said.

“The Good Shepherd V will be such an important asset for the social and economic future of Fair Isle.

“I look forward to seeing more of the progress in the coming weeks before she leaves Whitby on her way to Shetland.”

Although the ferry may arrive in Shetland before Christmas, she is only due to go into service in the spring.