|
DATE |
NEWS |
| 20/09/09 |
ISLAND NEWS:
ORKNEY
Orkney Losing Out in RET Pilot
 Orkney is
losing out by not being included in the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET)
pilot, according to Orkney MSP Liam McArthur.
Following a parliamentary question posed by him, Mr McArthur said the
islands not served by ferries included in the RET pilot are losing out
when compared to the Western Isles, which has all three of its ferry
links to the Scottish Mainland covered by the trial.
In August, Scottish Ministers claimed that, on the RET pilot services to
date, passenger numbers were up by 14 per cent and car traffic by 23 per
cent, when compared to the same period the previous year.
Source: orcadian.co.uk |
| |
|
| 15/09/09 |
ORKNEY FERRIES:
Stromness - Graemsay / North of Hoy:
All sailings between 1 October and 18 December 2009 will be operated by Golden Mariana – all general cargo must be notified at least two days before
intended shipping, with all livestock, dangerous goods and heavy cargoes
notified at least four days before intended shipping. |
| |
|
| 14/09/09 |
SHETLAND ISLANDS COUNCIL:
The company has announced that there is an error on the Bluemull Sound Timetable:
On the folding Timetable for Winter 2009 / 2010, included in last week’s Shetland
Times: The 1445 from Gutcher to Belmont does not go onward to Hamars Ness.
West Burrafirth - Papa Stour:
Due to an increase in traffic reported earlier this month on
SotN fleetnews the Papa Stour service
should be be being operated by
Thora instead of Snolda, the latter being stern loading
only while the Thora is drive thru. It is still unconfirmed and uncertain weather this
move (due to commence on the 14/09/09) is long term or not.
SotN Crossings:
West Burrafirth - Toft
NORTHLINK FERRIES:
Back By Popular Demand
NorthLink Ferries is to reintroduce its popular Islander Family & Friends travel
scheme with discounted fares being available from today (September 14).
The scheme last ran between April and June of this year. It will once
again see registered islanders invited to nominate up to six ‘Family &
Friends’ households outwith the Northern Isles. All members of that
household would then qualify for the 30 per cent discount currently
enjoyed by islanders registered with NorthLink’s islander discount
travel scheme.
Source:
northlinkferries.co.uk |
| |
|
| 12/09/09 |
NORTHLINK FERRIES:
NorthLink Now Taking 2010 Bookings
NorthLink Ferries is now taking bookings for 2010 – some two months
ahead of normal – allowing customers to plan ahead more easily and,
also, for the first time to factor dry-dock maintenance periods into
their bookings.
The company also announces today that, following Scottish Government
timetable amendment permission, extra Kirkwall calls have been added to
the 2009 winter schedule for Christmas and New Year.
All 2010 pre-booked requests already received from passengers have now
been inputted to the booking reservation system and confirmations will
be issued to those customers. Only those customers wishing to make a new
booking need to contact the company.
Details of the 2010 fares schedule are also available on the NorthLink
website. The Scottish Government has approved a schedule which sees 2010
fares pegged to an average increase of only 2.2 per cent.
At NorthLink’s request, the Scottish Government has also approved the
additional Hatston calls over the Festive period, details of which are
below:
- Monday 21 December (Southbound): will be
Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.
- Tuesday 22 December (Northbound): will be Aberdeen-Kirkwall
-Lerwick
- Monday 28th December (Southbound): will be
Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.
- Monday 4th January 2010 (Southbound): will be
Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.
SHETLAND ISLANDS COUNCIL:
Council to Be Asked to Delay Decision over new Whalsay Ferry Terminal
Shetland Islands Council is to be asked to delay its decision over which voe in
Whalsay the new £10 million ferry terminal should be built in.At a well-attended public meeting in Symbister on Thursday night it was agreed
more information was needed to explain why the council now considers the
existing confined harbour at South Voe to be capable of safely accommodating a
new terminal and a super-ferry the size of those used on Yell Sound.
Source: shetlandtimes.co.uk
ORKNEY FERRIES:
Air Service Set to Change Due to Boat Service Disruption
The winter air service for the North Isles is
to be amended for the period between October 26 and December 22 200 to
include additional flights between Papa Westray and Westray. This will
allow pupils from Papa Westray to travel to and from Westray Junior High
School.
The Orkney Ferries summer only service between Westray and Papa Westray
is operated by the Golden Mariana, which for the last few years has also
been used to provide an education service during the winter period.
Source: orkneytoday.co.uk
OTHER OPERATORS:
NORSHUKON
No cash for Norshukon
A Shetland business man said today he was optimistic about creating a
cargo link between Norway, Rosyth and Belgium, despite being unsuccessful in his
bid for EU funding.
John White, of West Burrafirth, said an international consortium was still
looking into setting up such a service by the end of the year.
The plan is to take freight off the road by providing a 'Motorway of the Sea'
directly linking Kristiansund, in mid Norway, with the Belgian port of Zeebrugge.
Additional sailings between Zeebrugge and Rosyth would give cargo from Scotland
a link into the continent.
Source: shetlandmarine.com
Ferry money Refused
Norshukon,
the ferry project of John White who hopes eventually to run a passenger
service from Shetland to Norway, has been unsuccessful in its bid for EU
Marco Polo funding, it was announced this week.
However operator Mr White said that while he was disappointed, he was
“not despondent” and is looking at other, non public, funding options
for the project.
Source: shetlandtimes.co.uk |
| |
|
| 09/09/09 |
ORKNEY FERRIES:
The Company would like to advise passengers that there are various
information signs out of order at present, and are endeavouring to have
these repaired as soon as possible. |
| |
|
Aug / Sep
RoundUp |
SHETLAND ISLANDS COUNCIL:
Fleet Movements:
Bigga went for dry docking on the 04/09/09. She is being covered on
the Bluemull Sound service by Fivla.
Crossings:
West Burrafirth - Papa Stour:
Due to an increase in traffic the Papa Stour service will be operated by
Thora instead of Snolda, the latter being stern loading
only while the Thora is drive thru. It is uncertain weather this
move (due to commence on the 14/09/09) is long term or just during the
busy period.
SotN Crossings:
West Burrafirth - Toft
Terminals:
Toft
A rather playful Minke whale has been sighted and filmed at the ferry
terminal at Toft. A short YouTube Video can be found here...
Minke Whale at Toft
Whalsay
New Whalsay Ferry Terminal will be Built in Existing Harbour Area
The new £10 million Whalsay ferry terminal is
set to be built within the existing congested harbour at Symbister after
a U-turn by the isle’s councillor Josie Simpson, previously a supporter
of an entirely new harbour at the North Voe.
Source: shetlandtimes.co.uk
Company News:
The winter 09/10 timetables and fares are now online...
2009 / 2010
Timetables / Fares
|
| |
NORTHLINK FERRIES:
RNLI Hamnavoe Cruise Raises Over £3,000
The Stromness Ladies Lifeboat Guild fundraising
cruise on board the NorthLink vessel MV Hamnavoe on Sunday (August 23)
raised over £3,000 for the RNLI.
Source:
northlinkferries.co.uk
|
| |
PENTLAND FERRIES:
Advanced Disruption:
03/09/09 - Restricted Sailings.
Sailings are restricted to only carry 25 passengers
on the 0930 sailing from Gills Bay on Wednesday 9th
September.
Advanced booking is recommended.
|
| |
ORKNEY FERRIES:
During the first few days of September the Outer Northern Isles service
was reduced to a 2 ship operation due to crew shortage & sickness. The
Earl Sigurd remained at Kirkwall but it was hoped all 3 vessels
would be back in service by 4 September.
Source: ferrypublications.co.uk |
| |
|
| 05/09/09 |
Fleet News for the end of August / start of September has been
updated - if we have
omitted anything please contact us.
Apologies for any delays or inconvenience caused.
SotN
feedback(-at-)shipsofthenorth.co.uk |
| |
|
|
PAST NEWS LOGS: |
2009: JAN
- FEB
- MAR -
APR - MAY -
JUN / JUL -
AUG / SEP
2008: JAN
- FEB - MAR -
APR - MAY -
JUN -
JUL -
AUG - SEP - OCT
- NOV
- DEC |
