Passengers rescued by lifeboat after Orkney ferry runs aground

Passengers on a ferry to Orkney had to be evacuated and taken ashore by lifeboat after the vessel ran aground in what was described as “a major incident”.

All 60 passengers, including three children and a baby, were said to be safe and well after the incident in Scapa Flow on Saturday evening.

The ferry company Pentland Ferries said smoke was detected in the engine room of MV Pentalina shortly before it grounded near its destination, the village of St Margaret’s Hope on Orkney.

The Pentalina had only just, on the previous Wednesday, returned to service on the 80-minute crossing from Gills Bay across the Pentland Firth to St Margaret’s Hope.

The company said the Pentalina had “undergone a technical overhaul, including a full service of all four engines and generators”.

On Sunday the company said all sailings between the Scottish mainland and Orkney were cancelled and that it was contacting all customers due to travel. Further updates would follow, it said.

The RMT union said a full investigation into what happened was now needed.

In a statement the union 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.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said coastguard rescue teams from St Margaret’s Hope, Stromness and Kirkwall, alongside Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats, responded to a mayday broadcast from the passenger vessel after it was grounded. A fire and minor water ingress had been reported.

The fire was extinguished and passengers were evacuated by lifeboat with everyone safe and well, it said.

On Facebook the RNLI Stromness Lifeboat posted: “Many thanks to the volunteer crews of Stromness and Longhope lifeboats for prompt action in the safe evacuation of a passenger vessel in Scapa Flow this evening. All passengers and their baggage, plus some crew, were taken the short distance to shore and some crew remained on the boat.”

Scotland’s transport minister, Kevin Stewart, said in a tweet: “Sorry to hear of the grounding of MV Pentalina, but glad that it seems that all on board are safe and well and that emergency services are in attendance.”