Orkney looks set to end up with a second rate ferry service for six months from October with the Pentland Firth route being run by a charter vessel while the brand new ferry lies idle – or the service being shelved in favour of a Stromness to Aberdeen service.

The “dreadful” situation was outlined this week by NorthLink chief executive Mr Bill Davidson who expressed bitter disappointment at the role of Scrabster Harbour Trust in the whole saga.

Asked this week if he could confirm that the Scrabster pier was not going to be ready until next February or March, he said: “In the light of current progress, you could be right.”

NorthLink have chartered the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Hebridean Isles until October 21, to use the old pier at Scrabster. On that date, their brand new ferry Hamnavoe is due to come into service, but because the new pier is not ready, there is nowhere for it to berth in Scrabster.

Mr Davidson said temporary measures to provide a floating linkspan at the port for the Hamnavoe had just about “died a death” which meant the ferry would be redundant until the new pier was completed – unless it ran a service to Aberdeen.

“It’s a very serious situation and we are bitterly disappointed that this pier is not going to be available as per our contract with Scrabster Harbour Trust,” he said.

NorthLink chief executive, Bill Davidson.

Orkney MSP Mr Jim Wallace stated yesterday that the Pentland Firth service would be maintained using the CalMac ferry until the Scrabster pier was ready, but Mr Davidson questioned whether NorthLink should pay for this when the delays were not the company’s fault.

“Financially, the cheapest option for us is to have no Pentland Firth service and go down to Aberdeen,” he said.

“Locally, in terms of customers, political PR and acceptability, it is an absolute nightmare.

“I have a brand new ship waiting, but it is laid off, incurring costs.

“Bringing in an alternative charter vessel to operate the Pentland Firth crossing is very expensive in comparison to the other option that could be considered, but not to have a Pentland Firth service would be a nightmare for customers.”

As such, it looks likely that NorthLink will be approaching the Scottish Executive for help, but after all the public money that has been pumped into the service so far, Mr Davidson queried whether more should be used “to pay for a contractor who has failed to deliver.”

Mr Davidson said NorthLink were due to take delivery of the Hamnavoe on September 27.

“We have a £28 million ship rushed to get ready and the £14 million pier is not ready.

“I am sorry it is such a long time before they can make use of it. We should not be having to pay to charter anything. It is quite worrying when you think about it.”

A delegation from Orkney Islands Council met with Scrabster Harbour Trust last month when they said they had been assured facilities would be in place for the Hamnavoe.

A written statement at the time from trust chairman Mr John Young read: “Scrabster Harbour Trust is conscious that construction of the new pier at Scrabster is running behind schedule, but it is our intention to have a berth available for when the Hamnavoe comes into service later this year.

“The trust is in regular contact with the Scottish Executive and NorthLink to ensure this, as all are aware of the importance of the Stromness/Scrabster service.”

Reacting to this week’s news, OIC convener Councillor Hugh Halcro-Johnston said: “The most important thing is we have to have a service in place through the winter months and I think it is very important to have a service between Orkney and Scrabster or Orkney and Caithness.”

He acknowledged that the whole scenario was an embarrassment.

“Exactly, but the view I have always taken is we must look to the long term in as far as Orkney is concerned. We have made quite sure that all the facilities that are in place will indeed be in place.

“Unfortunately, what happens on the other side is outside our control and we have found to our cost the danger of meddling in ports in Caithness in the past.

“We will certainly be looking to NorthLink and the Scottish Executive to ensure the service does operate across the Pentland Firth this winter.”

He added: “There does seem to be a certain complacency between the Executive and the harbour trust in Scrabster about getting a facility in place for the new ship. I would no doubt expect the Executive to address things as a matter of urgency.”

Although Mr Wallace said this week that the Pentland Firth service would continue using the Hebridean Isles until the Scrabster pier was ready, he didn’t say who would pay for it.

He was unavailable for interview yesterday, but a spokesman from his office said: “Jim Wallace has been keeping in close touch with Scottish Executive officials over the issue of the delays to the Scrabster harbour works.

“He has been advised that the proposal to site a temporary ramp was looked at in detail, but that its vulnerability to weather problems and the possibility that its use could delay the completion of the permanent works has led to its objection.

“There remain concerns about the delay over the completion of the new berth, but officials have determined that the CalMac vessel, the Hebridean Isles, which is already lined up to serve on the Stromness to Scrabster route from October 1, will be available to continue on the run until the expected completion date for the new works, so a service on the route can be maintained.

“Jim Wallace will continue to work to ensure that the maximum pressure is put on the contractor at Scrabster to complete the works as quickly as possible, as he shares the wish of all Orcadians to see the new ferry, the Hamnavoe, running the service as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, this vital lifeline service will be maintained with the CalMac ferry using the existing Scrabster ramp.”

Several attempts this week to contact Scrabster Harbour Trust chairman John Young before going to press proved unsuccessful.

myles.hodnett@orcadian.co.uk