Varagen

The 'Varagen' with 41 passengers on board ran aground in the evening of Nov 11, 2022, off the Rapness pier, Westray. After the ship was refloated, it berthed in Rapness. The passengers were allowed to disembark before the ferry was escorted back to Kirkwall by tugs in the early hours of Nov 12. Three investigations into the grounding of the Orkney Ferries vessel Varagen were launched by both Orkney Harbours and Orkney Ferries – which is operated by Orkney council., but now wrapped up as it was an isolated technical failure. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) dod not take their investigation into the grounding any further too after the inspectors from the Branch made inquiries and conducted a preliminary assessment. The ferry was back in service on Nov 19.

A mechanical fault affecting the "Varagen" could result in disruption to sailing times. The fault has developed in the bow thruster which causes additional challenges when berthing and leaving pier linkspans so there could be delays or cancellations when the weather is poor until the fault was being repaired. This required a replacement part to be manufactured to the standard required for a passenger vessel. Orkney Ferries estimated it would take around 10 weeks for repairs to be completed.