NorthLink Ferries to operate revised timetable during dry dock period

Friday 7th December 2018

NorthLink Ferries has published timetables confirming arrangement for the regular planned maintenance of its passenger vessels, with one vessel at a time due to be out of service between 13 January and 25 March.

MV Hamnavoe, which operates between Scrabster and Stromness, will be removed from service for five days from 13 – 19 January and MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey on the Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick route from 2 – 18 February and 19 – 25 March.

On the Pentland Firth route, freight vessel MV Helliar will provide a replacement bed and breakfast service for MV Hamnavoe with capacity to carry up to 12 passengers, while MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland will provide additional north and southbound connectivity via Kirkwall by operating the peak summer schedule. Alternative travel arrangements for foot passengers will also be provided between NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries at their respective terminals.

Similar to previous dry dock periods, a reduced service will operate between Aberdeen and Lerwick while MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey are undergoing maintenance. This will result in the sailing of one vessel every other day from Lerwick to Aberdeen while daily freight connections will be continued with additional sailings of MV Helliar and MV Hildasay.

The scheduled dry dock period has been designed to minimise disruption to customers and takes place during the quietest time of year for both passengers and freight shipments. Time in dry dock allows each vessel to receive routine maintenance and necessary repair work.

Stuart Garrett, Serco’s managing director at NorthLink Ferries, commented: “We have worked hard to minimise the impact of the maintenance programme on passengers. We have introduced arrangements that ensure travel demands will be met between Orkney and Caithness while MV Hamnavoe is in dry dock. This includes continuation of the popular bed and breakfast offer, introduction of our freight vessel MV Helliar and increased calls to Kirkwall by MV Hjaltland & MV Hrossey.”