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MV Leirna

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MV Leirna turning to starboard arriving in Bressay.
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Leirna
NamesakeLeiraness, Bressay
OwnerShetland Islands Council
OperatorSIC Ferries
Port of registryLerwick
RouteLerwick - Bressay
BuilderFerguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow
Yard number605
Laid down1991
Launched27 August 1992
Completed1992
In service14 November 1992
RefitOnce a year, normally June
IdentificationIMO number9050199
Motto"Handles Doon!"
StatusIn Service
General characteristics
Class and typeMCA Class IV
TypeRo-Ro Vehicle & Passenger Ferry
Tonnage
Length32.45 m (106.5 ft)
Beam10.7 m (35.1 ft)
Draft1.72 m (5.6 ft)
Depth3.69 m (12.1 ft)
RampsMacGregor bow and stern ramps
Installed power2 x Mitsubishi @ 313kW each
Propulsion2x Voith Schneider Units
Speed8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • 1 Rescue Boat for 6 persons
  • 2 Liferafts for 100 persons each
Capacity
  • 124 passengers (formerly 80 with 4 crew)
  • 19 cars
  • 2 artics
  • 94.5 tonnes
Crew
  • 5
  • 4 (with no passengers)
Notes[1]

MV Leirna is a double ended ro-ro passenger ferry operated by SIC Ferries. She operates between Bressay and Lerwick.

History

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As vehicles grew in size and more and more islanders started to drive, the need for a larger ferry was identified. The previous Bressay ferry MV Grima was simply too small for Bressay's needs. Plans were drawn up for a larger modern ferry, the Leirna. MV Leirna was built by Ferguson Shipbuilders, Glasgow in 1992. As one of the first "New" ferries, and the first double ended ferry, in the SIC she is widely considered the flagship of the fleet.[2]

She is operated by the local authority and provides the lifeline Bressay service between the Maryfield terminal on Bressay and the Esplanade terminal in Lerwick.[3]

Leirna's engines were replaced during her docking in 2013, when it was stated that she could run for another 25 years and replace her before she is 50 or 60 years old.[4]

Layout

[edit]
MV Leirna berthed in Lerwick.

MV Leirna has a main car deck with 3 lanes for vehicles. The crew and passenger accommodation overhangs on the outer two lanes and therefore high vehicles cannot be fully in those lanes.

There are two passenger saloons with excellent views across Lerwick harbour. Situated in the upper passenger saloon there is a non operational vending machine with a selection of hot and cold drinks. Each saloon has a toilet.

Service

[edit]

The Leirna operates the Bressay Ferry Service linking Lerwick on the Shetland Mainland to Maryfield, Bressay. She was purpose-built for this route.

In her whole career she hasn't been outside the Bressay Sound other than to go south for her annual docking, which takes place in Fraserburgh every year. It used to be every two years in Fraserburgh with the alternate year being alongside in Lerwick. She has in the past dry docked in Buckie and Lerwick, when the old floating dry dock was still there.

In recent years, during docking periods MV Fivla (II) is the relief vessel taking her place as the Bressay ferry. However, MV Bigga[5], MV Hendra[6] or, before her sale, her predecessor, MV Grima have taken MV Leirna's place during dockings or breakdowns. There has been a few times when MV Leirna or her relief breaks down with no other relief ferry available and the harbour pilot tug, MV Knab, is brought in to carry out some sailings so that people can get home. Though she can only take 12 passengers at a time.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "MV Leirna" (PDF). SIC Ferries. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  2. ^ "Leirna - Our Fleet - Ferries - Infrastructure Services - Shetland Islands Council". 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. ^ Sawkins, James. "Ferry Timetables". Shetland Islands Council. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Bressay ferry reborn". Shetland News. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  5. ^ Sharville, Ruth (2 July 2008), English: Bressay ferry "Bigga" at the Lerwick Pier This is not in fact the usual vessel to ply the short crossing to Bressay. The usual ferry is - how shall I put this - "even bigga"., retrieved 24 August 2023
  6. ^ "Bressay ferry service disrupted after engine trouble". Shetland News. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Pilot boat to take foot passengers to Bressay after ferry fault". Shetland News. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Pilot boat takes on duty of providing ferry service across Bressay Sound". Shetland News. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.