Harris ferry services resume as ship fixed

CalMac has resumed ferry sailings to Harris after four days of no service.

The only pier in Tarbert harbour was blocked by a stricken cargo ship which was in danger of sinking if she left the berth.

Seawater flooded in to the Faroese-owned MV Fame when it ran aground on Sunday.

The 177ft-long bulk carrier managed to limp to the pier and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) ordered it not to move until it was safe to do so.

A temporary cement box repair has been applied to the inside of the holed hull allowing the ship to shift to a nearby safe anchorage where it has been discharging her cargo of fish farm feed.

The ship has restricted permission to go to sea – only in good weather – to sail 25 miles north to a slipway in Stornoway for a more substantial repair.

A MCA spokesman said: “We are pleased to say that temporary repairs have been made to the MV Fame, the vessel has now been authorised to relocate to anchor at Tarbert, or weather permitting, make its way to Stornoway to a suitable repair facility.

“We would like to thank the local community and all those affected for their understanding and patience during this time.”

Meanwhile, CalMac suffered more travel hitches when passengers from Lochmaddy in North Uist were stranded for 90 minutes onboard the ferry MV Hebrides which was prevented from docking at Uig in Skye yesterday morning.

The ferry’s propellers risked being snagged by debris which broke off from a fish farm by Wednesday night’s storm.

A number of Western Isles ferry services suffered delayed or cancelled sailings due to a force eight gale yesterday morning.

MV Fame leaving Tarbert Harbour after a temporary repair enabled it to move to a safe anchorage