Northlink Ferries
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
| Business Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Address: | Holmsgarth Road, Lerwick. ZE1 0PW |
| Tel: | 01856 885500 |
| Fax: | 01856 879588 |
| Mobile: | |
| Website: | http://northlinkferries.co.uk |
| e-mail: | info@northlinkferries.co.uk |
Northlink Ferries operate the so called Lifeline Service from Shetland to Aberdeen via Orkney.
In 2007 NorthLink Ferries (a company of the state owned Caledonian MacBrayne Group) took over the service from NorthLink - Orkney & Shetland Ferries (a joint venture of CalMac and RBS) which succeded P&O in 2002.
In addition to the two purpose built sister ships Hjaltland and Hrossey owned by NorthLink and operated on the Shetland route, the company also operate two chartered sister ships, the cargo vessels Hildasay and Helliar.
Previously they operated the Hascosay (built 1971, Kristiansand, Norway as the Juno, later renamed Commodore Clipper and Sea Clipper) which they owned, and the Clare which was chartered, as cargo vessels. It was announced on December 16th 2009 that at 38 years old, and with insufficient capacity to cope with peak demand, the Hascosay was to be sold, and replaced with the chartered, then 10 year old, 122 metre length vessel Shield. She was renamed Hildasay in a ceremony at Holmsgarth on February 10th 2010 before entering service. The name was selected in a public competition, with the winning entry being submitted by 12 year old Sophie Wishart, who was Shetland Junior Musician of the Year at the time.
The Clare, at 37 years old, made her last trip for the company on December 24th 2010, and was replaced by the then 13 year old Clipper Racer. She was renamed Helliar in a ceremony at Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, on January 17th 2011. The name was selected in a public competition, with the winning entry being submitted by Dave Ridealgh, an Orkney, Scotland, postman. During the ceremony it was announced by Northlink that as of January 24th, the firm's operations would include a daily Aberdeen - Kirkwall freight service.
The Helliar's maiden voyage from Aberdeen, Scotland, via Kirkwall, Orkney, to Lerwick was fraught with problems, and finally abandoned. Having departed Aberdeen on January 5th 2011 as per schedule, first her call at Kirkwall was cancelled due to weather and sea conditions, she then experienced engine problems and for a time sought shelter off Orkney, before abandoning the trip entirely and returning to Aberdeen for repairs. She departed Aberdeen again late on January 10th, arriving in Lerwick for the first time the next morning.
 |  |  |
