New Orkney fast ferry finally arrives

Scottish ferry operator Pentland Ferries new fast passenger/vehicle catamaran Pentalina has finally arrived in the Orkney’s from her Philippine builders FBMA Marine. The 67m craft is currently completing final outfitting work in the Orkney’s and trials, and is expected to enter service between Gills Bay and St. Margaret’s Hope in January.

Pentalina can carry up to 350 passengers, 32 cars and nine lorries and was expected to have entered service in June last year. However, main engine problems on the vessel’s delivery voyage from the Philippines to Scotland, meant that the fast ferry had to put into the Omani port of Salalah, where she became stranded. Pentland Ferries’ owner Andrew Banks claims that the main engine problems were due to the shipbuilders’ fitting fuel pipes at the wrong height. The pipes had to be recalibrated in Oman, with the fuel tanks also having to be cleaned. The vessel’s long stay in Salalah, in extreme temperatures, also resulted in flooring in way of passenger areas peeling and having to be re-laid. Sphere: Related Content