MARITIME union RMT has said that ferry workers must receive support as they deal with a sudden increase in passenger traffic following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an end to most remaining restrictions across Scotland, including legal requirements on physical distancing from next Monday. 

The move is likely to lead to an increase in the number of passengers using Scottish ferries, raising concerns over a lack of support for staff. 

The RMT called for particular care to be taken as Scotland moves into the next phase of the pandemic. 

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “On top of the ferry procurement fiasco, the series of breakdowns, delays and disruptions in recent months has severely depleted service resilience on the lifeline Clyde and Hebrides network.

“A sudden return of pre-pandemic passenger traffic has to be handled cautiously and safely. 

“RMT will not tolerate our members being blamed or abused for any further ferry network problems, which are the result of the SNP government’s failure of Scotland’s iconic public-sector ferry services.”