Pentland Ferries – 25 March 2008

Submission from Helen Whyte, Pentland Ferries – 25 March 2008 To whom it may concern, Pentland Ferries Ltd operate a ferry service from the Gills Bay, Caithness to St Margaret's Hope, Orkney. We would like to put the following points forward for the inquiry into ferry services in Scotland. Pentland Ferries Ltd is a privately owned company started in 1997 by the current managing director Andrew Banks, and has been operating a ferry service since May 2001. The company currently owns two vessels. The MV Claymore operates a daily service between Gill’s Bay and St Margaret’s Hope year round, running 3 trips each way per day in the winter and 4 per day in the summer. Pentland Ferries are currently one of only 2 Scottish ferry companies that receive no subsidy or other financial assistance. Whilst not designated the ‘lifeline’ service we carry a large percentage of the livestock transported to and from the islands, together with dangerous goods such as aviation fuel, which closed deck vessels cannot carry. Pentland Ferries second vessel, the Pentalina B, is out with Scotland on lease. As well as the two vessels detailed above, we are currently having a RoPax catamaran built in Cebu, in the Philippines by FBMA Marine. This vessel will be launched in April 2008. The new vessel will have 50% increase in capacity and will replace the MV Claymore on the Pentland Firth route as the demand over the summer months has now exceeded the capacity of the Claymore. The Catamarans structure consists of a steel hull with aluminium superstructure, which has a direct effect on economy and is environmentally friendly with the use of efficient turbo charged high speed diesel engines with low emissions. Matching the fuel consumption of the MV Claymore however being a much larger and faster ship. She has four independent engines and propellers for reliability. The increase in the achievable speed will allow Pentland Ferries to put on a service with a crossing time less than one hour to the mainland between the current ports. The new vessel being custom built is also designed with the hope that Pentland Ferries may in the future be allowed access to use Burwick harbour on South Ronaldsay, this would allow us to provide a shuttle service to the mainland, with crossing times in under thirty minutes, six to eight crossings per day undoubtedly a fantastic service to locals and tourists. The timetable between Gills Bay and St Margaret's Hope has remained the same for most of the operating time. This is set to meet the Northern Isles ferries to allow passengers from the Islands of Orkney to make a connection to mainland Scotland without overnight stays etc. We have just altered the timetable to accommodate a new bus service from Kirkwall to Inverness, this service which has now been named the Norseman Express, operates six days per week, the bus travels on the ferry with the passengers, an attractive alternative as luggage and shopping does not have to be moved until the destination is reached, this service is also free to OAP s and disabled passengers. As all businesses are aware of the continuing rise in fuel prices, Pentland ferries are pleased to inform you we have not increased fares for 6 years in the Winter season and 3 years in the summer season. Having been in operation for nearly seven years, it is clear to see the success of the route with freight companies, locals and tourists, hence the need for a greater capacity vessel and shorter crossing times to provided a better and more attractive service. Pentland Ferries are operating a competitive route to/from Orkney, however the company faces severe competitive pressure from other subsidised ferry companies running to and from Orkney. We feel very strongly that all ferry companies who have proved themselves to be able to compete and offer a reliable and affordable service should be subsidised to allow a more "level playing field" for competition. -- Helen Whyte Office Manager/Deputy DPA Pentland Ferries Ltd .

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