Normal service to resume on multiple CalMac routes after major ferry Hebrides finally repaired
It follows several “immensely challenging” weeks for the ferry operator
Sailings on multiple CalMac routes are to finally return to normal after more than three weeks of repairs to its Hebrides ferry were completed.
The 26-year-old vessel, which can carry 600 passengers and 90 cars, was due to leave Aberdeen on Tuesday afternoon to resume services on the Little Minch triangle routes between Harris, North Uist and Skye on Wednesday.
CalMac said that meant normal timetables and ferries on all its major routes which had suffered knock-on disruption were expected to be restored by the end of the week - to Coll, Colonsay, Mull, South Uist and Tiree.
It leaves the UK’s biggest ferry operator with just one large vessel still out of service, with Isle of Lewis now potentially returning to the Oban-Barra route earlier than scheduled after nearly three months of steelwork repairs.
Chief executive Duncan Mackison said Hebrides’ return would provide a “welcome stable service” after several “immensely challenging” weeks which he had caused unprecedented disruption to services.
However, he has warned that CalMac would remain “on the edge” of further major problems until three new ferries arrive from Turkey by early next year.
It means Clansman can return to the Oban-Coll/Tiree/Colonsay routes, Isle of Mull to the main Mull service between Oban and Criagnure, and Lord of the Isles to the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route, where sailings have been suspended for more than a month.
In turn, Isle of Arran will be switched to the Islay route to replace Lord of the Isles, which has acted as its second vessel along with the brand Isle of Islay while Finlaggan is undergoing its scheduled annual overhaul.
Hebrides should have returned from annual maintenance in Leith on April 18 but suffered gearbox problems then other faults as it was returning to the west coast a week later.
The ferry has been in Aberdeen since, where a leak in its bow door seal has now been repaired.
CalMac said Isle of Lewis, which is due back at the end of May, is scheduled to undergo sea trials later this week which could lead to an earlier return to service than the planned end of the month.
However, the smaller Loch Portain ferry, which sails across the Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh, has been delayed returning from its annual overhaul in Greenock.
It should have been back in service on Tuesday but CalMac said that had been put back to Saturday due to “extensive sea trials and following the lengthy overhaul”.
Loch Bhrusda, which can only carry 18 cars compared to Loch Portain’s 34, is standing in.
Mr Mackison said: “The return of Hebrides gets us back to a welcome stable service across the routes served by major vessels and allows us to restore planned service levels to five islands.
“This includes an increase in capacity and resilience to Coll, Tiree and Colonsay, greater capacity on Mull and the restoration of a direct service to South Uist.
“The past few weeks have been immensely challenging, and my sincere thanks go to my hardworking colleagues at CalMac, and to people across the island coastal communities we serve who have been very understanding and supportive of the scale of that challenge.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.