Stornoway’s efficient transport links to mainland air hubs and onward international destinations was a bonus for the seafarers onboard the MV Maersk Connector.
They were able to make a fast getaway home for a spell of leave after successfully installing a near £10 million electricity subsea cable (the complete project costs a lot more) across the Little Minch, from Skye to Harris.
Though the specialist cablelayer ship was heading to the north of England where the crew change could have taken place, her Danish shipping line opted to call into Stornoway harbour on Friday evening, taking advantage of a suitable berth and facilities plus the port’s one hour air distance to central belt airports.
Local harbour pilot Capt Alasdair Smith took the 11,000 tonne vessel alongside to the east side of number three pier.
The crew change saw around 20 crew members joining and departing.
Island connections makes for smooth crew change
9 August 2021
MV Maersk Connector arrives in Stornoway