Orkney Islands Council Leader Seeks Reassurances on Stromness – Scrabster Refit Arrangements

Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan has written to Transport Minister Graeme Dey to express concerns about the lack of a Stromness to Scrabster ferry service for two weeks in early 2022.

There will be no Stromness to Scrabster service between Monday 31 January 2022  and Sunday 13 February 2022, whilst the MV Hamnavoe is in dry dock.

In normal circumstances, a replacement vessel would have been provided, however the dry dock period has been timed to coincide with urgent works on the ro-ro ramp at Scrabster- meaning no service can be provided at all.

Councillor Stockan said: "I've written to the Transport Minister  to put on record that the withdrawal of a lifeline service for two weeks would in normal circumstances have been met with vociferous protests from the Council.

“The situation coming down the track in February 2022, will place Orkney in what I believe is the unique situation of being the only designated lifeline ferry service where a replacement vessel is not provided to cover the refit timetable.

“We are mindful though of the extenuating circumstances this year with essential maintenance scheduled for the Scrabster linkspan at the same time as the refit is occurring - and we are also thankful for the additional daily calls at Hatston northbound and southbound on the Aberdeen, which will ensure that we are not completely deprived of a lifeline service provision over the refit period.

“I've made it clear to Mr Dey though that we very much hope that this situation will not reoccur - and that every effort should be made to deploy a suitable replacement vessel on the Stromness to Scrabster route during future refits.”