Question reference: S5W-19840
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 9 November 2018
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 21 November 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a passenger vessel will be allocated to the Stromness-Scrabster route when MV Hamnavoe is on refit in 2019.
Answer
The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January whilst the vessel undergoes an essential period of dry dock. Using their best endeavours, the operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries, has searched the open market for a replacement passenger vessel. However due to the scarcity of available tonnage and the unique vessel and port configurations, a like for like replacement is not available. Consequently, a freight vessel will provide relief cover for freight traffic during this short period.