Mousa Boat Trips
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Mousa Boat Trips run a ferry service from the Sandsayre Pier at Sandwick, to the Island of Mousa, during the summer months.
The current boat is the "Solan IV".
| Address: | Pytaslee, Leebitton, Sandwick. |
|---|---|
| Tel: | 01950 431367 |
| Fax: | 01950 431367 |
| Mobile: | |
| Website: | http://www.mousaboattrips.co.uk |
| e-mail: | info@mousaboattrips.co.uk |
History of the Mousa Ferry
In 1952 Eric Stove, of Sannick, was contracted to operate the ferry service to Mousa, using the "Restless Wave", an open Shetland Model boat with a 1.5hp engine. Following his death the ferry was run by his son Ernie, who ran the service until 1962, when the service was taken over by Peter Smith who was also awarded the contract from the Northern Lighthouse Board to maintain the lighthouse. Smith replaced his first boat, which was lost, with the "Eastern Light", with which he continued the service until his death in 1970.
The "Eastern Light", which was licenced to carry 12 passengers, and the franchise to operate the service, were sold to Tom Jamieson, who has operated the service since the 1971 season.
After taking over the service, Tom improved the boat, and renamed her the "Solan".
In 1979 he replaced her with a slighlty larger, deisel engined boat, named the "Solan II", and also licenced to carry 12 passengers.
In 1988 Tom purchased the purpose built, 8 metre, GRP hulled, "Solan III", which was licenced to carry 30 passengers.
Increasing passenger numbers, and the need to carry a full coach load on one trip, meant that in 1999 the aluminium hulled, "Solan IV", which was licenced to carry 60 passengers, was built by Malakoff Ltd., and launched onto the service.
Tom Jamieson and his family continue to operate the service with the "Solan IV".
