Passengers on a ferryboat to Orkney were evacuated and taken ashore by lifeboat after the ship ran aground in “a major incident”.
All 60 passengers, including 3 kids and a baby, were said to be safe and well after the accident in Scapa Flow on Saturday evening, April 29th.
According to the privately owned/family company Pentland Ferries, smoke was detected in the engine room of MV Pentalina (2008-built/IMO 9437969) shortly before the ship grounded close to its destination, St Margaret’s Hope village on Orkney.
MV Pentalina had only on Wednesday restarted service on the 80-minute crossing from Gills Bay across Pentland Firth to St Margaret’s Hope.
Pentland Ferries said Pentalina had “undergone a technical overhaul, including a full service of all four engines and generators”.
Today the company said all sailings between the Scottish mainland and Orkney had been canceled and it was contacting all clients due to travel. Further updates will follow.
The RMT union said a full investigation was now needed.
In a statement the union added they were aware of a major accident onboard MV Pentalina which had run aground, 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.”
According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, coastguard rescue teams from Kirkwall, St Margaret’s Hope, and Stromness, alongside Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats, had responded to a Mayday broadcast from the passenger ship after it was grounded. A fire and minor water ingress had also been reported.
The fire was extinguished and all passengers were evacuated by lifeboat with everyone safe and well.