CalMac two ferries down as busy summer begins

CALMAC could be starting its busy summer season without two major vessels, causing disruption across its ferry network, writes Sandy Neil.

The MV Clansman is taking longer to fix, while the MV Hebrides is due for dry dock, just as the ferry operator’s ageing fleet is ‘stretched to its full capacity’.

A CalMac spokesman explained: ‘Complications during the repair of the MV Clansman’s propulsion system means there is a possibility we will be operating for a period of time without two major vessels. The MV Hebrides is due for dry dock. However, we are exploring ways to postpone this until the MV Clansman has resumed service. We are working extremely hard to get the Clansman back in service as quickly as possible.

‘In the meantime, we are developing potential options to continue to provide lifeline services to the communities we support.’

Earlier this month CalMac’s new managing director, Robbie Drummond, warned passengers they could face disruption because of its ageing fleet. The average age of the ferries serving its 49 routes is just under 22 years old. Eight are over 30 years old.

CalMac stated: ‘The working life expectancy of a ferry is around 25 years, so with nearly half working these routes already beyond that milestone, the risk of mechanical failures is significant. It also takes longer to get older boats back into service when things go wrong, often due to the difficulty in sourcing parts.’

The MV Clansman, which usually serves Oban, Coll and Tiree, unexpectedly needed extensive repairs to her propulsion system, forcing CalMac to reshuffle its fleet. The MV Hebridean Isles, which was then damaged in a docking incident at Tiree in February, was moved to the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy triangle, while the MV Hebrides sailed south to service Tiree, Coll and Colonsay. But then, due to pressure in the busy Easter holiday, CalMac had to return the MV Hebrides to the Uig triangle and deployed the smaller MV Lord of the Isles to the Oban-Coll/ Tiree and Colonsay services.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said ‘unacceptable’ faulty ferries were causing ‘utter disarray’, leaving Coll and Tiree ‘in limbo’ and urged the Scottish Government to invest in new ferries. The next new vessel will replace the MV Hebridean Isles on the Islay route.