Uncertainty surrounds MV Alfred’s immediate placement with CalMac following the grounding of the company’s only other ship.
Her owners, Pentland Ferries, may be considering the possibility of taking her back -
The outcome is expected to depend on the extent of damage and inspections for the Pentalina and her length of absence from duty.
She reported a fire onboard and transmitted a Mayday emergency message before ending up on a shoreline in Orkney. There were no injuries and all passengers and crew are safe.
The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
The Alfred has been hired to play a critical role this summer in CalMac’s depleted fleet and help maintain west coast ferry services.
She had been chartered out by Pentland Ferries which has no back-
Sailings on the route are cancelled until further notice.
Alternative ferry sailings are available for Orkney with Northlink Serco ferries so the island is not cut off.
Some ship charter contracts contain a callback clause permitting the owner to obtain the return of the vessel at short notice.
CalMac declined to say if the hire contract included an early callback clause.
A spokesperson for CalMac said: “Our first thoughts are with the passengers and crew of MV Pentalina and we are pleased to hear that they are all safe and well following this incident.
“Now that passengers and crew are safe, we are sure that Pentland Ferries primary focus is rightly on assessing the condition of MV Pentalina.”
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the Pentalina reported a fire onboard and then grounded around 7.30pm on Saturday evening.
The vessel sustained “minor water ingress.”
“A Mayday broadcast was issued.
“The fire was extinguished, and passengers were evacuated by lifeboat to St Margaret’s Hope, where they were met by the Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland.
“All passengers have been reported safe and well.”
Sixty people were onboard including three children and an infant when the Pentalina diverted off course to starboard on the final approach to the pier at St Margaret’s Hope in Orkney and and went ashore.
Passengers donned lifejackets and, along with six dogs,.were evacuated by Stromness and Longhope lifeboats.
Vehicles were still stuck onboard the ship.
A Pentland Ferries spokesperson said last night: “MV Pentalina is grounded in St Margaret’s Hope.
“The vessel has 56 adults, 3 children and an infant on board. All are safe.
“The emergency services are in attendance. Smoke was detected in the engine room, before the vessel grounded. The safety of our passengers is, of course, our first priority.”
The Rail and Maritime Union described it as a “major incident” saying the vessel was “taking on water with a fire in the engine room.”
“RNLI lifeboats have been dispatched and all of the ferry’s passengers and crew are reported to be safe.
“A thorough investigation will be needed to establish how this major incident aboard the Pentland Ferries vessel occurred.”
Orkney’s Local Emergency Coordination Group convened an urgent meeting last night over the situation.
Hayley Green, vice chair of the body, said all passengers are accounted for and safe, and in accommodation.
“The situation, including the impact on ferry provision across the Pentland Firth, will be reviewed over the coming days.”
The group praised the “excellent response” from all agencies to the incident, including the local community and volunteer lifeboat crews.
Unclear if MV Alfred will be called back from CalMac following Pentalina grounding
30 April 2023
Photo: RNLI Longhope Lifeboat