cotland’s transport minister has referred to as for an investigation into the working aground of a ferry on Orkney to be accomplished “sooner rather than later”.

Smoke was detected within the engine room of the MV Pentalina on Saturday night time earlier than it grew to become grounded close to the village of St Margaret’s Hope on the island, resulting in the evacuation of 60 passengers, together with three youngsters and an toddler.

Helen Inkster, managing director of operator Pentland Ferries, stated all passengers have been “safe and well” once they have been evacuated, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) conducting a survey earlier than the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) are anticipated on Tuesday.

Initial experiences recommend the ferry suffered from a “sudden mechanical failure”, in accordance with the MCA.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Scottish transport minister Kevin Stewart stated: “Obviously this is a UK reserved matter, the MAIB look at any situation that has occurred aboard vessels, any accident, and I’m quite sure that they will report back to the MCA around about their findings.”

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Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, he added: “This is obviously of great interest, not only to (the MCA and MAIB), but to the Scottish Government, the likes of Orkney Islands Council and others.

“We have to get to the bottom of what happened here and I hope that happens sooner rather than later.”

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur – who represents Orkney – stated earlier in the identical programme that native rumours urged stress had been utilized to the MCA to ship a security certificates to the vessel so one other that was beforehand on the route – the MV Alfred – may very well be leased to Scottish Government-owned ferry operator CalMac.

Mr Stewart stated: “I’m not aware of any pressure that has been put on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and I don’t think it would be the kind of organisation that could be pressurised. to be honest with you.”

Speaking in regards to the impression of the accident on the route, whereas the Pentalina is out of service Mr Stewart stated that – as of Monday – Northlink Ferries’ summer season timetable shall be working, together with three every day sailings between Scrabster and Stromness.

Also on the identical programme, Scottish Tory transport spokesman Graeme Simpson referred to as for an investigation into why the protection certificates was given to the Pentalina simply weeks earlier than it ran aground.

“I’m on the same page as the RMT on this,” he stated.

“There needs to be a full investigation into what’s gone on, why was that vessel given approval, only to then break down?”