MV Hendra
{{DISPLAYTITLE:MV Hendra}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | image = Hendra Departs - geograph.org.uk - 2067569.jpg | caption = MV Hendra departing from Laxo }} {{Infobox ship career | Ship name = Hendra | Ship country = United Kingdom | Ship owner = Shetland Islands Council | Ship operator = SIC Ferries | Ship registry = Lerwick | Ship route = *Whalsay (1982–1988, 2005–present )
| Ship builder = McTay Marine, Bromborough, Merseyside | Ship launched = September 1982 | Ship yard number = 45 | Ship completed = 1982 | Ship in service = 30 November 1982 | Ship status = In service | Ship refit = | Ship identification = {{IMO|8200254}} }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship class = MCA Class IV ro-ro vehicle and passenger ferry | Ship tonnage = *{{GT|248}}
| Ship length = {{convert|33.63|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|9.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship displacement = 343.45 | Ship draught = {{convert|2.61|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = {{convert|3.66|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *2 x Volvo Penta TAMD 165C
| Ship power = 2 × {{cvt|328|kW}} at 1,200 rpm | Ship speed = {{convert|11.5|kn}} | Ship capacity = *95 passengers
| Ship crew = 5 | Ship boats = 1 × rescue boat | Ship ramps = Fore and aft ramps and bow visor }} |
MV Hendra is a ro-ro passenger ferry operated by the SIC Ferries. She operates as the day vessel on the Laxo or Vidlin to Symbister, Whalsay service.{{Cite web |last=Sawkins |first=James |title=Ferry Timetables |url=https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Shetland Islands Council |language=en}}
History
Hendra was bought as the first of the second batch of new builds for the council since they took over the inter-island ferry services in the early 1970s. She currently is the oldest ferry in the council's fleet at 41 years old. Having been in local news recently due to this causing issues with passenger accessibility.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Accessibility issue leaves 79-year-old sitting 'freezing' on ferry deck |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2023/04/21/ferry-not-fit-for-purpose-says-79-year-old-who-sat-freezing-on-deck-after-accessibility-problem/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Shetland News |language=en-GB}}
Layout
The Hendra has two lanes on her car deck. Like most SIC Ferries her size she has a passenger lounge located beneath the car deck.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-01 |title=Hendra - Our Fleet - Ferries - Infrastructure Services - Shetland Islands Council |url=http://shetland.gov.uk/ferries/fleet/hendra.asp |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401055917/http://shetland.gov.uk/ferries/fleet/hendra.asp |archive-date=2016-04-01 }}
Service
Entering service on 30 November 1982 on the Whalsay service, taking over MV Fylga, which took over the Yell Sound service. Hendra operated alongside MV Kjella until 1988, when she was moved to Yell Sound to take over the vessel she took over when first entering service, Fylga. She operated alongside MV Thora and then MV Bigga until the two new Yell ferries were introduced in 2004. Hendra returned to Whalsay in 2005, where she still operates, as the day vessel, alongside MV Linga.
Due to an issue with the Toft linkspan, she operated a special service between Vidlin and Ulsta, Yell from 29 April and 4 May 2010.{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Rosalind |date=2010-04-29 |title=Major disruption for travellers to and from North Isles after ferry ramp fails |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2010/04/29/major-disruption-for-travellers-to-and-from-north-isles-after-ferry-ramp-fails |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}
Hendra has on occasion operated as relief such as to Bressay on 11 November 2015 {{Cite web |last=Times |first=Shetland |date=2015-11-11 |title=Ferry service disruption at Bressay and Whalsay |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2015/11/11/ferry-service-disruption-at-bressay-and-whalsay |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}} and 23 October 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-23 |title=Bressay ferry service disrupted after engine trouble |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/10/23/bressay-ferry-service-disrupted-after-engine-trouble/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Shetland News |language=en-GB}}