Passengers have been safely evacuated from a grounded ferry off the coast of Orkney after smoke was detected in the engine room.
A total of 60 people, including three children and a baby, and several dogs were onboard the MV Pentalina when the alarm was raised.
The vessel, operated by Pentland Ferries, was grounded in St Margaret’s Hope following reports of a fire and “minor water ingress”.
The coastguard was made aware of the incident at about 7.30pm on Saturday.
Lifeboat crews were dispatched from Longhope and Stromness who brought all of the 60 passengers ashore.
Pentland Ferries shared a statement online confirming “all are safe”.
It states: “All passengers that were onboard MV Pentalina tonight are safe and are either at home or at their accommodation.
“Our customer services team are contacting all customers that are due to travel. Further updates will follow.”
‘Mayday’ call issued
The RNLI lifeboat team from Longhope said the rescue went “smoothly” and confirmed nobody was injured.
All passengers were taken to Cromarty Hall in St Margaret’s Hope for shelter.
The volunteer crew was led by trainee coxswain Scott Johnson under the supervision of regional resilience coxswain Darren Harcus.
Mr Johnston said: “I am really proud of the crew for their rapid response and the care and professionalism they displayed during this rescue. The crew of the Pentalina also handled the situation extremely well.”
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “St Margaret’s Hope, Stromness and Kirkwall Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats responded to a passenger vessel reporting a fire and having grounded, with minor water ingress, near St Margaret’s Hope at approximately 7.30pm.
“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.”
Calls for an investigation
RMT is now calling for a full investigation to be carried out by the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) to determine what happened onboard the vessel.
MAIB have informed of the grounding.
The MV Pentalina had only returned to service on Wednesday on the Pentland Firth route. All sailings have been cancelled today.
A 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.”
Vessel ‘refloated’
Today, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that the MV Pentalina has been refloated.
A spokeswoman said: “The MV Pentalina was refloated at approx 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 has also been informed.”
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