Transport Scotland have announced that the Northlink drydock arrangements will now be as originally planned - i.e. the Hamnavoe's refit period will be covered by one of the Aberdeed - Kirkwall - Lerwick ferries.
Orkney Islands Council Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, said: "Following our involvement in recent discussions with Shetland Islands Council and the Scottish Government, I am pleased that the result is a return to the dry dock arrangements originally planned.
"The two councils made it plain that we considered it to be the Scottish Government's responsibility to ensure our lifeline ferry service are affected by the least possible disruption during the refit period.
"In Orkney, we stood firm against the chartering of the Hebridean Isles to stand in on the Pentland Firth while the NorthLink ferry Hamnavoe is in dry dock. From past experience we were concerned that it would be unable to operate a reliable service in the adverse weather conditions we can expect at this time of the year.
"Under the original arrangements, confirmed today by Transport Scotland, one of the two NorthLink ferries that operate between Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick will now stand in for the Hamnavoe - a decision that will be welcomed throughout our community.”
