Gemini to head to Scalloway

The accommodation ship Gemini, currently berthed at Dales Voe north of Lerwick, is shortly to be moved to Scalloway for the winter.

The vessel, which houses up to 600 Shetland Gas Plant workers from Petrofac, will be berthed along the South Quay at Blacksness Pier. She will join the barge Bibby Challenge, which is occupied by around 300 BP staff, in the village.

According to the SIC, which runs Scalloway Harbour, it will be a more sheltered berth, offering more protection for the vessel and for residents in poor weather. The Gemini would be moved as soon as a suitable weather window becomes available.

The Gemini will be the largest vessel to enter Scalloway Harbour, with an overall length of 164 metres and beam of 22 metres. The harbour entrance was dredged in 2013 to a depth of 8.7 metres to straighten the approach for larger vessels and the South Quay has an available depth of 6.5 metres.

SIC director of infrastructure services Maggie Sandison said: “It is welcome news that a vessel of this size is now able to berth in Scalloway harbour.

“These workers will add to those already now based in Scalloway and we are in discussions with Petrofac and local agencies on how to ensure that the community can best absorb these extra numbers with minimal impact.”