MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh is a small passenger ferry built for the Outer Hebrides. After serving the monks on Papa Stronsay, she now operates in Southern Ireland as Sancta Maria.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh |
| Namesake | Berneray |
| Builder |
|
| Yard number | 283 |
| Launched | 1982 |
| Identification | IMO number: 8201557 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 67gt 3nt[1] |
| Length | 15.90m/55.1ft |
| Beam | 7.00m/23.0ft |
| Draught | 1.65m |
| Propulsion | Twin diesels 2 x M6cy 290bhp 2scr |
| Speed | 7.3 knots on trials 11/10/1982 |
History edit
MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh, a small landing craft type ferry, was built for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in 1982, to provide the first vehicular link between Berneray and Otternish.[2] After the new causeway opened in 1998, she ran as the Eriskay ferry. In 2002 she was bought by the monks of Papa Stronsay, a small island in the Orkney archipelago.[2]
Service edit
MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh was built for the Berneray crossing, coming into service in 1982.[2] Displaced from there in 1996, by the MV Loch Bhrusda, she moved to the Eriskay service, also serving as secondary vessel for the Sound of Barra service.
In 2002 she was purchased by the monks of Papa Stronsay to service their monastery.[3]
She now runs to Bere Island in Southern Ireland and is named Sancta Maria.[4]
References edit
- ^ "Eilean Bhearnaraigh". Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
- ^ a b c "Last Goodbye for Council Ferries". Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 4 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Monks' work continues to develop Golgotha island monastery". The Orcadian. 4 May 2006. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
- ^ "Local Notes: Beara & District". The Southern Star. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.