MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh

Career (UK)
Name:	MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh
Namesake:	Berneray
Builder:	George Brown & Company, Greenock Engines: Volvo Penta (UK) Ltd, Watford
Yard number:	283
Launched:	1982
General characteristics
Tonnage:	68grt 38nrt[1]
Length:	15.90m/55.1ft
Beam:	7.00m/23.0ft
Draught:	1.65m
Propulsion:	Twin diesels 2 x M6cy 290bhp 2scr
Speed:	7.3knots on trials 11/10/1982

MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh is a small passenger ferry built for the Outer Hebrides. After serving the monks on Papa Stronsay, she now operates in Southern Ireland as Sancta Maria.

History

MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh, a small landing craft type ferry, was built for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in 1982, to provide the first vehicular link between Berneray and Otternish.^[2] After the new causeway opened in 1998, she ran as the Eriskay ferry. In 2002 she was bought by the monks of Papa Stronsay, a small island in the Orkney archipelago.^[2]

Service

MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh was built for the Berneray crossing, coming into service in 1982.^[2] Displaced from there in 1999, by the opening of the causeway, she moved to the Eriskay service, also serving as secondary vessel for the Sound of Barra service.

In 2002 she was purchased by the monks of Papa Stronsay to service their monastery.^[3]

She now runs to Bere Island in Southern Ireland and is named Sancta Maria.^[4]

References

1. ^ "MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh". Clydebuilt. http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=15986. Retrieved 4 October 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Last Goodbye for Council Ferries". Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. 18 August 2003. http://www.w-isles.gov.uk/press/archive/archive/030818.htm. Retrieved 4 October 2009. 
3. ^ "Monks' work continues to develop Golgotha island monastery". The Orcadian. 4 May 2006. http://www.orcadian.co.uk/features/articles/papastronsaymonks.htm. Retrieved 4 October 2009. 
4. ^ "Local Notes: Beara & District". The Southern Star. 24 January 2009. http://www.southernstar.ie/localnotes.php?issue=2009-01-24#7. Retrieved 10 October 2010.