Open letter to CalMac

Dear Mr Drummond,

I have written to you previously regarding the winter overhaul programme, when the Clansman is away from our route for her annual maintenance and also covering the Hebrides.

This has always been a time of frustration for our island for various reasons, mainly that you allocate the wrong vessel to us during this period, an issue that in my opinion remains.

The reason for writing to you is that I feel I must make comment regarding the recent spate of severe weather conditions, especially during February when we endured many storms. This, of course, impacted on the proposed closure of the pier to vehicular traffic which was subsequently delayed to allow the delivery of essential goods. This situation was aggravated as the Clansman was absent and a smaller ferry was on our route.

I must put on record my admiration for the captain and crews for their dedication and indeed bravery during this period. It must be a very fine line between trying to deliver a service with all the added pressures of storms and pier

closure deadlines on the one hand, but keeping in mind the safety of the crew members, passengers, cargo and, of course, the vessel itself.

Coll and Tiree must surely be two of the most exposed piers within your network, bringing their own individual challenges. Cancellations are always a frustration but the final decision rests with the captain, as indeed it should. I do sincerely hope that this remains the case and to resist the temptation to put profit first.

It is on record that vessels operating on the Irish Sea, twice the size of the Clansman, were off service at times during these storms.

My thanks go to the crews of all your vessels but, in particular Lord of the Isles, Isle of Mull and, of course, Clansman as they were involved during this period.

Hector Neill, Balevullin, Isle of Tiree.