Question reference: S5W-32186
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 30 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 8 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the refit period for the MV Hamnavoe will take place; how long it will last, and what plans are in place to ensure that a passenger vessel will be allocated to the Stromness-Scrabster route as replacement cover during the refit period.
Answer
The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January 2021 and the dry docking will coincide with the forecast period of least demand identified from both a passenger and freight perspective.
Serco NorthLink continue to use their best endeavours to search for suitable tonnage available on the charter market taking account of the specific requirements of both Stromness and Scrabster.
At present, no final decision has been taken by the operator. In the absence of replacement tonnage either MV Helliar or MV Hildasay will be utilised on the Pentland Firth crossing during this short period as has been the case in recent years.