The NorthLink Ferries fleet survey programme will get under way in mid-February – a fortnight later than originally scheduled – so that new parts can be fitted to the stabilisers on each of the company’s ro-ro passenger ferries.

NorthLink has experienced some stabiliser issues with the units fitted to Hamnavoe, Hrossey and Hjaltland. Mitsubishi, the stabiliser manufacturer, have produced a redesigned fin stock. As a precautionary measure the new design of fin stock will be fitted to all three ships while they are in dry-dock.

The original dry-dock schedule should have run from January 30 until March 19 with each vessel being out of service for a two-week period while work was carried out at the Cammell Laird yard in Birkenhead.

Now, so as to align with delivery schedules for the replacement stabiliser fin stocks, the dry-dock period will run from February 14 – April 24 but with each vessel still being off-station for about two weeks. The 39 passengers who were affected by the date changes have been contacted and alternative sailing arrangements agreed. NorthLink apologises to all passengers who have been affected by the rescheduled maintenance periods. 

Although the maintenance schedule has been delayed by two weeks NorthLink has ensured that the March 1 northbound Aberdeen - Lerwick service, which is particularly important for the Shetland schools mid-term break, is retained.

Throughout the maintenance period, when the services will be operated with two passenger vessels instead of the normal three, sailings on the Aberdeen routes will be reduced to alternate nights instead of the regular daily service. MV Hjaltland will operate on the Pentland Firth route while Hamnavoe is off-station.

NorthLink has implemented a modified Aberdeen route schedule which preserves the popular, weekend break ‘southbound on Friday’ and ‘northbound on Sunday’ sailings. Ferries will sail south on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and north on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

During the maintenance period the two NorthLink freight vessels will operate to a modified timetable ensuring not only regular freight shipments to and from the Northern Isles but also easing passenger inconvenience with accommodation for up to 12 passengers per trip on each vessel. It is anticipated that the freight and livestock vessel MV Shield, the recently announced replacement for Hascosay, will enter operations to replace Hascosay before the dry dock period commences.

The revised dry-dock schedule is as follows:

Hamnavoe: February 14 – February 28

Hrossey: March 7 – March 22

Hjaltland: April 11 – April 24