While our usual ferry, the MV Graemsay, is away on it's annual refit (boat equivalent of an MOT) we have a replacement vessel for a couple of weeks. In the past this has been the Golden Marianna, a very old boat, not easily accessed even if you are fit, and takes a limited number of passengers and no cargo. This boat has been needing replaced for many years. Finally a "new" boat was bought by the local authority. Much controversy has surrounded this vessel as to suitability etc. Costs are unknown but the vessel was purchased for £500K and has had new engines, new crane and other modifications made. It was a former river cruiser in Norway. Anyway this last week or so island residents had an opportunity to sail on her and here are some photos. She's called the "Nordic Sea".
Now she had completed standing in for our ferry she has sailed up to the island of Papa Westray, on one the Northern Orkney Islands. There she will sail between "Papay, as the island is known, and Westray. Taking children back and forth to school and any residents or visitors who want to go over to the larger island of Westray. There is also a 7 minute air service between the islands!!
Anyway here are a few pictures of my sail over on the Nordic Sea - it has a ramp at the bow, which was at quite a steep angle on arrival at Stromness. Depending on pier and tide either the ramp at the bow is used, or stepping off the rear deck onto the pier steps. You have to be fairly agile for either!
Up the ramp we go!
When you get to the top....
Pulling up the drawbridge - haha!
Inside the cabin is very smart.... easily accessible toilets too....
The vessel can seat about 35 I think from a quick count. A few tables too. And the school kids will be happy as there are power points by each seat so they can charge their devices on the way to and from school! No refreshments on board though. However on some of the more Northerly Orkney Islands the ferries do have a cafe as the journey time is often 2 hours from port to port. On our Graemsay ferry we usually have a coffee machine. Wonder if they will put something on this posh "new" boat?
To enter the cabin you have to be able to step over the entrance. But it's lower than on our usual ferry which for me means potentially less scraping of shins!
This wee boat can't take cargo either, although hand carried parcels can be delivered. But we are usually given fair warning when our own ferry will go away so we make arrangements to get deliveries before and after!
Sailing past the island of Graemsay a while ago (when we had snow). She makes quite a noise in comparison with our usual ferry. I could hear her coming round from Hoy!
The weather was comparatively calm when she was sailing between Graemsay, Hoy and Stromness. So it will be interesting to hear how she gets on in roughter weather....
