Pocket-size ferry fits the bill perfectly

The Gdansk-built multi-purpose ferry Filla has a tough job to do. It must cross between Lerwick and the Skerries no matter what the weather throws at it.

Designed by Macduff Ship Design in Scotland and built in Poland by the Northern Shipyard (Stocznia Polnocna) in Gdansk, the small but purposeful 365g ferry Filla recently entered service on the 21/2 hour inter island route from Lerwick to the Skerries operated by the Shetland Islands Council. The detailed design was carried out by the shipyard?s own design company, Naval Engineering & Design ?NED? Limited.

Extensive tank tests were undertaken in Poland to optimise the propulsion efficiency and the overall design of the vessel is based broadly on that of an offshore supply vessel with a trawler hull form giving good sea keeping capabilities. Other notable features are a pronounced bulbous bow and a fully enclosed wheelhouse providing all-round visibility.

With an overall length of 35.50m, a beam of 9m and a draught of 4.20m, this multi-purpose ferry has deadweight of 160t. The 16.7m x 7.1m open cargo deck located aft of the superstructure can accommodate nine cars or one 36t HGV and there is also a passenger saloon for 30 people. A small stern ramp affords access for vehicles onto the cargo deck.

The vessel is fitted with two refrigerated cargo holds below the cargo deck with a total cargo capacity of 140m3 or 56 Euro pallets. A Palfinger articulated arm crane with a 39t-metre lifting capacity is fitted on the fo?c?sle deck abaft the wheelhouse and is able to reach almost any part of the cargo deck.

Main propulsion plant consists of two 617kW Mitsubishi S12R MPTA main diesel engines driving twin Kamewa Ulstein 50P1/4T 1750 mm diameter four-bladed CP propellers through Mekanord 400HS reduction gearboxes. This propulsion plant gives a useful service speed of 12 knots. Auxiliary power is based on two 185 kW Mitsubishi 6D24 TC diesels driving Stamford HCM434D2 415V/50Hz generator and this is supplemented with a 117 kW 6D16 T harbour/ emergency genset driving a Stamford UCM274G2 415V/50Hz generator.

Two Rolls Royce high lift flap rudders provide a high degree of manoeuvrability which is enhanced with the fitting of two Dutch-built HRP 2001 TT 150 kW bow thrusters driven by hydraulic pumps.

The Filla is a good example of a sturdy multi-purpose ferry built for a specific trade and is the lifeline for the remote communities on the Skerries. Because of this, and the fact that she often has to operate in difficult seas and in almost all weathers, a high level of reliance is placed on this vessel which is reflected in the many redundancy features installed onboard.