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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Alan McEwen

Lifeboat crew rescues 60 passengers from stranded Scots ferry which ran aground

A rescue operation saw 60 ferry passengers, including a baby, taken off a vessel which ran aground on Orkney.

Pentland Ferries said the MV Pentalia became grounded outside the port of St Margaret’s Hope.

The RNLI Longhope lifeboat was dispatched to the scene at around 7.45pm to rescue the passengers.

The ferry company said 56 adults, three children and an infant were on board and “all are safe”.

Smoke was detected in the engine room of the ferry, a twin hull vessel with an overall length of 70m, before the incident.

Mary Harris, spokeswoman for RNLI Longhope Lifeboat, said half a dozen dogs were also taken ashore.

She said: “Thankfully no one was injured during the incident and the rescue went smoothly.”

The RMT union described it as a “major incident” and said the vessel was taking on water.

The Pentalia returned to service earlier this week to allow another ferry, MV Alfred, to service CalMac routes on the west coast.

A statement from Pentland Ferries said: “The MV Pentalina is grounded in St Margaret’s Hope. The vessel has 56 adults, three 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.”

An RMT spokesman said: “We are aware of a major incident onboard the MV Pentalina which has 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.”

Transport Minister Kevin Stewart tweeted that he was “sorry” to hear of the incident, but that “all on board are safe and well and that emergency services are in attendance”.

MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston tweeted about the Pentalia incident, saying: “This is the boat which has been brought back into service to allow CalMac to charter the MV Alfred on the west coast routes.

“Hoping crew and passengers are OK, and everyone is able to get off safely.”

The Coastguard confirmed that te vessel was refloated in the early hour so Sunday morning and it will be inspected for damage.

A spokesman said: “The MV Pentalina was refloated at approximately 5.30am today after a tow was established by a tug whose services were acquired by Pentland Ferries.

“The Pentalina was brought alongside its berth in St Margaret’s Hope a short while later. HM Coastguard’s Emergency Towing Vessel MV Ievoli Black observed the operation, alongside counter-pollution officers, and reported that there were no signs of pollution.

“The vessel will be surveyed later today to establish the extent of any damage while the harbour master will continue to monitor for pollution. MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) has also been informed.”

Last July a man was rushed to hospital after another water rescue.

The MV Alfred was grounded on the island of Swona during its crossing between Gills Bay on the mainland and St Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

Two lifeboats from Thurso and Longhope were sent to the uninhabited island to help evacuate the 97 people onboard, the coastguard said.

One aboard the vessel was to hospital, the Scottish Ambulance Service said, and had been admitted to Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.

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