Calmac sorry again as ferry faults found

Another fault has been found in an out-of-service ferry, leaving travel in the Western Isles disrupted.

Calmac yesterday apologised after one of its vessels was taken out of service for repairs.

The Lord Of The Isles ferry was withdrawn on Thursday after problems related to corroded steel were found.

Its usual service to South Uist was cancelled and traffic was redirected via Lochmaddy in North Uist. A further problem was then found, this time with the vessel’s radar.

Calmac said: “We apologise for the cancellation of the Lochboisdale service due to corroded steel being discovered on MV Lord Of The Isles.

“The vessel was taken to Kennacraig where the works carried out on her steelwork have been completed. However, due to an emergent issue with her radar system which restricts the vessel’s operation in hours of darkness, yesterday’s sailings were cancelled.”

Concerns have previously been raised in the Scottish Parliament about Calmac’s ageing fleet of vessels – which currently averages three breakdowns a week – and the impact of vessels frequently being withdrawn for maintenance or repairs.

Calmac’s fleet includes 12 vessels that are more than 30 years old.

Meanwhile, businessman Jim Mccoll has helped to fund a new publication – The Caledonian Inquirer – about Scotland’s ferry scandal.

Copies will be distributed in west-coast towns and island communities and includes interviews with ferry experts, politicians and islanders.

Mccoll owned Ferguson shipyard before it collapsed amid a dispute with ferries agency CMAL over two ferries being built there.