Surprise route debut plans for CalMac's brand new ferry Isle of Islay
Operator considering temporary redeployment because of faulty new Arran vessel
CalMac’s brand new Islay ferry could be diverted to make its passenger debut on one of the main Arran routes because of the operator’s severe shortage of vessels.
Isle of Islay may be called on to step in to sail between Troon and Brodick if the latest repairs to the company’s fault-prone year-old ferry Glen Sannox cannot be completed quickly.
CalMac has been unable to operate the route since Monday because Glen Sannox has been out of action and Alfred, an Orkney-chartered catamaran which acts as its the secondary vessel, is on annual refit.
In addition, the company’s ageing ferry Caledonian Isles was not able to resume sailings on the Ardrossan-Brodick route until Wednesday after also needing repairs.
Sailings on Arran’s other route, from Lochranza, were halted on Tuesday afternoon because of bad weather, cutting off the island from the mainland.
CalMac said any redeployment of 450-passenger Isle of Islay would be temporary and it would operate its intended route between Kennacraig in Kintyre and Port Askaig in Islay from the start of the summer timetable on Friday March 27 as scheduled.
The company said a decision was likely to be made on Thursday once the state of Glen Sannox’s engine repairs had been assessed.
The vessel was due back in service on Thursday afternoon following successful sea trials.
It said all the vessel’s sailings on Wednesday had been cancelled and remained “on high alert” for Thursday.
CalMac is also considering extra sailings between Lochranza and Claonaig in Kintyre.
Its spokesperson said: “Isle of Islay’s remaining berthing trials have been postponed and the vessel will berth at Kennacraig for now.
“However, due to a lack of alternative vessels available, we may deploy her to Troon-Brodick in the coming days to meet demand on Arran.
“The expectation is that MV Isle of Islay will still be available for service on Islay at the start of the summer timetable on March 27.”
The spokesperson said it faced “challenging decisions” because several other ferries were also out of action, with others redeployed to cover their absence.
They said: “This leaves us with little option in terms of vessel deployment to manage disruption.
“Deploying Isle of Islay to operate Troon-Brodick and serve Arran on a temporary basis is being considered to meet expected demand if Glen Sannox remains unavailable.
“We would like to reassure the Islay community that the new vessel is still expected to be available to them on 27 March when our summer timetable starts.
“We are sorry for the disruption and are making every effort to reinstate normal services.”
The official Arran Ferry Committee, which represents passengers, welcomed the potential move.
Secretary Bill Calderwood said: “Our services and supplies have been restricted for too long and the return to service from Ardrossan is a big step forward.
“All customers will be relieved there is some light for their travel plans.
“Glen Sannox’s repairs continue, which is very disappointing following her recent service and it must be a priority to identify the causes and repairs.
“The service from the north end [Lochranza] has been very welcome, and these experiences will demonstrate the need to have this operating all year.
“We will continue to work with CalMac to have these decisions introduced much sooner than has been the case.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.