Transport minister urges quick probe after ferry runs aground

Some 60 passengers were evacuated from the MV Pentalina on Saturday on Orkney.

The Scottish transport minister was speaking on Monday (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA) (PA Media)

Scotland’s transport minister has called for an investigation into the running aground of a ferry on Orkney to be completed “sooner rather than later”.

Smoke was detected in the engine room of the MV Pentalina on Saturday night before it became grounded near the village of St Margaret’s Hope on the island, leading to the evacuation of 60 passengers, including three children and an infant.

Helen Inkster, managing director of operator Pentland Ferries, said all passengers were “safe and well” when they were evacuated, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) conducting a survey before the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) are expected on Tuesday.