The MV Loch Seaforth suffered a three hour emergency today following a serious breakdown.
A severe fault hit the engines’ cooling systems.
One main engine was knocked out followed by the other and the ship lost steerage.
For about an hour the vessel was drifting in the middle of the Minch with no power at all.
Her onboard electricity system was also affected.
Some 343 passengers and crew were on board plus a car deck full of vehicles.
The vessel displayed not under command signals to warn other sea traffic to keep well clear.
Lochinver lifeboat and Stornoway relief lifeboat sped to the scene and stood-
Coastguard emergency tug MV Ievoli Black was alerted but was not required.
Under maritime rules the Loch Seaforth is not allowed to sail with passengers without two engines in operation. Such a serious breakdown as sea means she will head to port.
One of the MV Loch Seaforth’s three generators was fired up to drive a propeller through a propulsion unit and separate input into the gearboxes.
This allowed her to continue to Stornoway for repairs, at a speed of nearly 12 knots, arriving around 4pm.
Sailings are suspended while engineers assess the fault which will require the ship to undertake sea trials.
Emergency alert as Stornoway ferry drifts without power in Minch
8 August 2018
