CalMac ferry’s return to service delayed by further repairs

Ferry operator CalMac has announced that one of its vessels could be out of action until March, causing further disruption to its winter sailing schedule.

MV Caledonian Isles, which is one of the largest vessels in the fleet connecting the Scottish mainland and islands, was due to be back on the water by November 20 following planned repairs.

However that timetable has now been pushed back after the company found further repairs are needed to the ferry’s stern tube bearings, and to sections of steelwork in two areas of the vessel.

The ferry operator said it is not yet known how long the additional work will take to complete, but due to uncertainty around drydock availability and around the full scope of the repairs, it could be late March before the Caledonian Isles is back in service.

CalMac interim chief executive Duncan Mackison said: “The planned scope of work we’d identified for drydock is progressing well, but the discovery of these latest issues has eliminated any chance of a return to service in the short-term.

“We are in no doubt about the current challenges facing the network and the people who rely on it.

“We anticipated a challenging winter, and that is exactly what we’re seeing play out.

“Any decisions we take around the service off the back of this news will cause disruption in places, and we will now consult with communities to get their valuable input into that service plan.

“Our recent efforts to add resilience to the service, such as through trialling third-party vessels and by bringing forward the drydock work for MV Caledonian Isles, will continue.

“We will leave no stone unturned as we try to meet the needs of the island communities we serve.”

The ferry operator said if new bearings are needed, it could take until mid-December for the first one to arrive.

It also said it is consulting a naval architect on the root cause of the steelwork deformation issue, and is liaising with the drydock operator and other parties on the repair timeline and cost.

CalMac said it will consult island communities this week on a revised vessel deployment plan for winter.

The operator’s current winter plan, which was announced in October, redeploys ferries across the CalMac network to meet demand.

It had been announced on the back of disruption caused by the repairs to MV Caledonian Isles, as well as annual maintenance to a number of other vessels.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We recognise the on-going impact that delays and disruption have had on our island communities.

“The latest news that MV Caledonian Isles may be out of service for the remainder of the winter timetable is regrettable, and we appreciate how disappointing this is for island communities.

“CalMac are now looking at what this means in terms of deployment across the network which is particularly challenging due to the annual overhaul schedule, but they are committed to ensuring lifeline connectivity is maintained.

“Ministers and officials continue to push CalMac to ensure all options to expedite repairs are being considered.”