Historic Waverley paddle steamer rescues stranded CalMac passengers after Isle of Mull ferry breaks down
Operation comes as another CalMac vessel breaks down days after repairs and annual overhaul
Dozens of CalMac passengers who were stranded on Mull after one of its ageing ferries broke down have been rescued by the historic paddle steamer Waverley.
The 80-year-old Waverley, which was touring the Inner Hebrides, picked up 42 people at Craignure after Isle of Mull, which is 39 years old, hit engine problems on Tuesday night.
They were brought back to Oban by Waverley because there was no space for them aboard Loch Frisa, CalMac’s other smaller ferry on the route.
One of Waverley’s passengers, which was returning to Oban from a cruise round Eigg, praised its operators for stepping in.
Jane Anne Liston said: “Congratulations and thanks are due to Waverley Excursions, the captain and crew, for making the unscheduled call to pick up the CalMac passengers and delivering them safely back to the mainland.
“Thank goodness she was on hand to assist. If this was the first time aboard the world's last sea-going paddle steamer for some of the passengers, perhaps they'll be back on board another time from choice.”
Waverley Excursions general manager Paul Semple told The Scotsman: “We heard there was going to be some passengers who could not be accommodated on Loch Frisa on her sailing around 6:40pm as Isle of Mull was unable to operate.
“As Waverley was heading down the Sound of Mull from Tobermory and Salen [on Mull] bound for Oban we contacted CalMac and made the offer that Waverley could call at Craignure and pick up any foot passengers remaining.
“Waverley then made the call at Craignure around 7pm and picked up 42 passengers and returned them to Oban.
“We were happy to be able to offer this at no cost given the support CalMac has shown towards Waverley over many years.”
Mr Semple said the unscheduled stop at Craignure meant Waverley has become the first steamer to call at three piers on Mull piers in the one day.
Waverley is now heading for Falmouth in Cornwall for the next stage of its round-Britain summer tour before resuming sailings on the Clyde from Glasgow from June 26.
A CalMac spokesperson said: “Isle of Mull has an issue with a cylinder in one of her engines.
“Spare parts are on their way for installation on Wednesday evening.”
Meantime, 15-year-old Finlaggan, one of CalMac’s Islay ferries, has been delayed a further day in returning from its annual overhaul in Greenock.
The vessel should have been back in service on Saturday but that was put back to Wednesday and has now been extended to Thursday.
CalMac said additional work was needed to its stern [rear] ramp, with its Isle of Arran ferry standing in.
Organisers of ten-day Fèis Ìle, The Islay Festival, which starts on Friday, have said Finlaggan must be back in time.
Isle of Islay, the brand new main vessel on the route between Kennacraig in Kintyre and Port Askaig in Islay, remains in service but has developed a problem with the hinge pins in its bow ramp.
CalMac said that could mean longer turnarounds and some vehicles having to reverse on or off the vessel. It said a repair plan was being arranged.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.