MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh

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
NameMV Eilean Bhearnaraigh
NamesakeBerneray
Builder
Yard number283
Launched1982
IdentificationIMO number8201557
General characteristics
Tonnage67gt 3nt[1]
Length15.90m/55.1ft
Beam7.00m/23.0ft
Draught1.65m
PropulsionTwin diesels 2 x M6cy 290bhp 2scr
Speed7.3 knots on trials 11/10/1982

History

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Eilean Bhearnaraigh". Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Last Goodbye for Council Ferries". Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 4 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Local Notes: Beara & District". The Southern Star. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.