Good Shepherd IV

Good Shepherd IV is a Scottish ferry, connecting Fair Isle to Shetland Mainland. It is owned and operated by SIC Ferries.[1][2]

Good Shepherd IV in Fair Isle harbour
History
United Kingdom
NameGood Shepherd IV
OwnerShetland Islands Council
OperatorSIC Ferries
Port of registryLerwick
RouteFair Isle
OrderedFebruary 1985
Builder
Yard number1024
LaunchedFebruary 1986
Maiden voyage24 May 1986
Identification
General characteristics
Tonnage
Displacement125.6 tonnes
Length18.3 m (60 ft 0 in)
Beam5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Draught2.63 m (8 ft 8 in) (max)
Depth3.168 m (10 ft 4.7 in)
Propulsion1 × Volvo TMD 121C 6 cyl 12 litre 239kW / 315hp
Speed9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Capacity
  • 12 Passengers
  • 1 Car (Craned Onboard)

History

The ship, built in St Monans, Fife, has been in service since 1986 and is operated by the Shetland Islands Council.

MV Good Shepherd IV passing Sumburgh Head.

The previous ferry on this route, Good Shepherd III, was a former inshore trawler, owned by the islanders since 1972.[3]

Service

The ferry carries up to 12 passengers and one car.[4][5]

There are sailings three times a week from Grutness Pier near Sumburgh Head in summer and one per week in winter. In the summer only, there are fortnightly sailings to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland.[6][7]

Replacement Ferry

A news report in September 2020 indicated that some members of Council believed that the 31-year-old Good Shepherd IV was due for replacement but that Holyrood had not authorized that expenditure. Councillor Allison Duncan was quoted as saying, "I think it's despicable that they can't at least look after one of our remote islands by giving them the boat that they justly deserve."[8]

In January 2023, £26.7 million was awarded by the UK Government, as part of the 'levelling up' fund, to the Shetland Islands Council for the purchase of a new ro-ro ferry for Fair Isle and new terminals at both the Grutness and Fair Isle ports, including linkspans. The new ferry is expected to be similar to the MV Snolda, with 25m length and capacity for about 4 cars and a crane. The work is due to be completed by April 2026. [9]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Good Shepherd IV (ship, 1986).
  1. "Ferry Timetables". Shetland Islands Council. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. "Travelling to Fair Isle (via Shetland)". Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  3. "Shetland Islands Council". Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  4. "Fair Isle". Visit Shetland. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  5. "Shetland Islands Council - Ferries". 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  6. "Timetables". Fair Isle. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  7. "Tiny Scots island with population of just 65 self-isolating in bid to beat coronavirus". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  8. "Councillor calls wait for progress on replacement Fair Isle ferry 'despicable'". Shetland News. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  9. "Work on new Fair Isle ferry project underway to meet tight deadlines". Shetland News. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
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