CalMac We need a whole new fleet
The boss of CalMac said the firm is facing major problems with an ageing fleet of ferries and urgently called for replacements.
Robbie Drummond was speaking after the crisis facing the Isle of Arran where the main ferry is now out of action until early May due to an engine failure.
The MV Caledonian Isles has been replaced with the smaller MV Isle of Arran with lifeline services prioritised.
Drummond, managing director of Governmentowned CalMac, said: “It’s an extremely difficult time for the Isle of Arran, and I apologise again for all of the disruption.
“We are running an ageing fleet. Nearly a third of our vessels are beyond their lifeline, so we’re doing everything we can to keep our fleet going.
“What we need is new vessels and what we urgently need to see
is a long-term plan for replacement vessels and ports, and a procurement programme that starts to put in place a standard fleet that operates to standard ports.
“That will make a huge difference running across our network.”
Two CalMac ferries are being built at the Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow but are five years late and could cost more than double the original estimate of £250million.
Drummond told
BBC Scotland: “We’re spending this year, something like £33million on maintenance. Five years ago, that was £21million.”
But Gavin Fulton, of the Arran Ferry Action Group, said disruption is “making life extremely uncertain” for islanders.
He said: “As of yesterday lunchtime, out of six petrol stations, only one had petrol. Pubs have been running out
of beer.”