Rathlin Island: New operator found for 'lifeline' ferry service

The ferry takes vehicles and pedestrians across to the island

A new ferry operator to run the Rathlin Island service has been found after the former company ceased trading due to "financial difficulty".

Rathlin Island Ferry Limited announced that its last sailing would depart Ballycastle on Wednesday afternoon.

It has been announced that Dunaverty Limited will take over the crossing from Friday with a passenger ferry running five return sailings a day.

A vehicle ferry will run once approvals are in place.

The Department for Infrastructure said after the relevant approvals with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a full scheduled timetable of sailings would commence.

Charles Stewart, from Dunaverty Limited, said he was delighted to have been awarded the contract and looked forward to working with the department on what he described as a "lifeline service".

The announcement was welcomed by local politicians.

DUP MP Ian Paisley said the news will offer some relief for residents, adding it was important that a full service, including vehicle transportation, returns as quickly as possible.

"Issues around this vital route over recent days and weeks have only served to underline its importance and the department must now ensure that residents and all those who travel to Rathlin can have some certainty for the longer term," he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said that Wednesday "began with worry and anxiety" for staff, islanders and regular users of the ferry, but "thankfully it ends with relief."

"I welcome too that all existing staff will continue in their employment," he added.

Rathlin Island is about six miles off the County Antrim coast of Northern Ireland

Rathlin Island Ferry Limited had previously operated the service between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle on behalf of the department.

A Department of Infrastructure spokesperson said it was notified on Wednesday that the company was to cease trading with immediate effect.

It followed several weeks of engagement between the department and the ferry operator about the contract and the financial position of the ferry company.

A spokesperson for the department said it recognised the importance of the service for the local community.

They added the department had been working on potential contingency arrangements with the expectation these could be implemented urgently.

It said these would include the arrangements for existing staff.

Ferry workers had been staging strike action over pay and conditions.

Rathlin Island is home to a population of about 150 people.

Julie-Ann McMullan is one of only five who work at the primary school on Rathlin, but decided not take the ferry to the island on Wednesday over fears she might end up stranded.

"I've got an opening night up at the school on Thursday and it's critical we can get to that," she said.

"My husband worked on that ferry for 42 years and this has never in his life happened."