MV Geira

Last updated

MV Geira approaching Gutcher - geograph.org.uk - 1603013.jpg
MV Geira approaching Gutcher, Yell from Fetlar.
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Geira (II)
Owner Shetland Islands Council
Operator SIC Ferries
Port of registry Lerwick
Route
Builder Richard_Dunston, Hessle, Yorkshire
Completed1988
In service2 July 1988
RefitOnce a year
Identification
StatusIn Service
General characteristics
TypeRo-Ro Vehicle & Passenger Ferry
Tonnage
Displacement335.7
Length30 m (98.4 ft)
Beam9.0 m (29.5 ft)
Draught2.612 m (8.6 ft)
Depth3.85 m (12.6 ft)
Decks4 (2 Passenger)
RampsBow and Stern ramps and a Bow Visor
Installed power2 x Kelvin TASC8 @ 470kW each
Propulsion
  • Twin screw
  • 1x Bow Thruster
Speed10 knots
Capacity
  • 96 passengers
  • 11 cars
  • 1 Artic
Crew4

MV Geira is a ro-ro passenger and car ferry that operates on the Bluemull sound service, [1] operated by SIC Ferries. She is based in Hamars Ness, on Fetlar. [2]

Contents

History

She is the second MV Geira built for SIC Ferries, the first being built in 1973 as a part of the first batch of inter-island ferries for the council. Out of the four vessels built around the same time, at different yards and to slightly different specification, MV Geira is closest in design to MV Fivla (II) .

Layout

MV Geira has 2 lanes on her car deck. Like most SIC Ferries her size she has a passenger lounge located beneath the car deck. [3]

Service

MV Geira berthed at Fetlar. Geira Ferry At Fetlar - geograph.org.uk - 3571061.jpg
MV Geira berthed at Fetlar.

Between 1988 and 2002, MV Geira operated on the Yell Sound route. She operated alongside MV Thora, and the then new MV Bigga .

From 2002, MV Geira operated on the Whalsay route alongside MV Linga . Where they had replaced MV Hendra, which replaced her again in 2005, and MV Thora on the route.

In 2005, when replaced by MV Hendra, she was transferred to the Bluemull Sound route, operating as the day vessel based out of Fetlar. Geira operates 6 days a week, however there was no second vessel on Bluemull on Saturdays until 2006 and from 2014 until 2025, when it was reintroduced.

Due to an issue with the Toft linkspan, she operated a special service between Vidlin and Ulsta, Yell from 29 April to 4 May 2010. [4]

References

  1. The Shetland Times, 'Geira problem hits Bluemull Sound ferry service' https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2017/04/12/geira-problem-hits-bluemull-sound-ferry-service,
  2. Sawkins, James. "Ferry Timetables". Shetland Islands Council. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. "Shetland Islands Council - Ferries". 6 May 2006. Archived from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  4. Griffiths, Rosalind (29 April 2010). "Major disruption for travellers to and from North Isles after ferry ramp fails". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 25 August 2023.