Good Shepherd IV

Good Shepherd IV is a Scottish ferry, connecting Fair Isle to Shetland Mainland. It is owned and operated by SIC Ferries.^[1][2]

Good Shepherd IV in Fair Isle harbour
History
United Kingdom
Name	Good Shepherd IV
Owner	Shetland Islands Council
Operator	SIC Ferries
Port of registry	Lerwick
Route	Fair Isle
Ordered	February 1985
Builder	J W Miller & Sons, St Monans, Fife Prefabricated by McTay Marine, Bromborough
Yard number	1024
Launched	February 1986
Maiden voyage	24 May 1986
Identification	MMSI number: 232003605 Callsign: GFXQ
General characteristics
Tonnage	Gross Tonnage: 76.38 Net Tonnage: 45.33 Deadweight Tonnage: 54.2
Displacement	125.6 tonnes
Length	18.3 m (60 ft 0 in)
Beam	5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Draught	2.63 m (8 ft 8 in) (max)
Depth	3.168 m (10 ft 4.7 in)
Propulsion	1 × Volvo TMD 121C 6 cyl 12 litre 239kW / 315hp
Speed	9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Capacity	12 Passengers 1 Car (Craned Onboard)

History

The ship, built in St Monans, Fife, has been in service since 1986 and is operated by the Shetland Islands Council.

MV Good Shepherd IV passing Sumburgh Head.

The previous ferry on this route, Good Shepherd III, was a former inshore trawler, owned by the islanders since 1972.^[3]

Service

The ferry carries up to 12 passengers and one car.^[4][5]

There are sailings three times a week from Grutness Pier near Sumburgh Head in summer and one per week in winter. In the summer only, there are fortnightly sailings to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland.^[6][7]

Replacement Ferry

A news report in September 2020 indicated that some members of Council believed that the 31-year-old Good Shepherd IV was due for replacement but that Holyrood had not authorized that expenditure. Councillor Allison Duncan was quoted as saying, "I think it's despicable that they can't at least look after one of our remote islands by giving them the boat that they justly deserve."^[8]

In January 2023, £26.7 million was awarded by the UK Government, as part of the 'levelling up' fund, to the Shetland Islands Council for the purchase of a new ro-ro ferry for Fair Isle and new terminals at both the Grutness and Fair Isle ports, including linkspans. The new ferry is expected to be similar to the MV Snolda, with 25m length and capacity for about 4 cars and a crane. The work is due to be completed by April 2026. ^[9]