Shetland Islands Council has announced further disruption to ferry services serving Whalsay and the Bluemull Sound route after drydock works on one of its vessels were delayed.
The council said updated information from the contractor carrying out maintenance on the ferry MV Geira indicates the work will now not be completed before early April.
Following mandatory inspections by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and sea trials, the vessel is now expected to return to service on Monday 20 April, although officials say efforts will continue to bring it back earlier if possible.
In the meantime, temporary service arrangements will remain in place on affected routes.
Whalsay service operating with single vessel
From Friday 13 March to Tuesday 31 March, ferries serving Whalsay will operate with a single vessel.
The service will run to the Linga timetable, with additional sailings scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays until the ferry Hendra returns from docking.
The council said the measures are intended to maintain connectivity while the fleet undergoes essential maintenance.
Bluemull Sound timetable changes
The disruption will then shift to the Bluemull Sound service between Saturday 4 April and Sunday 19 April.
During that period, the route will also operate with a single vessel timetable while the ferry Fivla covers the docking period for the vessel Filla.
Passengers travelling on the route are advised to consult the updated timetable published by the council.
Passengers asked to rebook sailings
Because of the timetable changes, all previous bookings made for the affected periods will no longer be valid.
Passengers will need to make new reservations either online or by contacting the ferry booking office.
The council said its booking system is currently being updated, with reservations expected to reopen:
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Friday 6 March for Whalsay sailings
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Monday 9 March for Bluemull Sound sailings
Bookings can be made online through the council’s ferry service pages or by phone via the booking office.
Bus connections also adjusted
Changes to the ferry timetable will also affect the North Isles Integrated Bus Service, specifically Service 24V, which connects ferry passengers with bus services in Lerwick.
During the period when Bluemull Sound is operating a single-vessel timetable, buses will depart Lerwick at the following times:
Mondays
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13:30 from Tesco
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13:40 from Viking Bus Station
Tuesdays to Saturdays
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13:50 from Tesco
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14:00 from Viking Bus Station
Maintenance and reliability
Inter-island ferries are a vital transport link for Shetland’s island communities, supporting daily travel for residents as well as freight, education and healthcare access.
Routine drydock maintenance is required to meet maritime safety regulations and ensure vessels remain seaworthy. Such work can involve hull inspections, mechanical repairs and regulatory checks before a ferry is cleared to return to service.
In this case, the additional time required for the overhaul of MV Geira means service adjustments are necessary across multiple routes until the vessel completes inspections and sea trials.
The council said it will continue to monitor progress and will update passengers if the ferry becomes available sooner than expected.
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