CalMac Apologises Amid Unprecedented Ferry Service Disruptions
CalMac has issued an apology to passengers following an "unprecedented situation" that has rendered seven of its 10 main ferries out of operation.
Currently, four major vessels are undergoing overhaul, while three additional ferries are out of service due to technical problems affecting the West of Scotland network.
Among the affected services are cancelled morning sailings on Arran's problematic Glen Sannox ferry, which is expected to incur an additional £3.2 million in costs after only a year in operation.
In a statement addressed directly to island communities, CalMac acknowledged that this may represent the most pressing challenge the company has faced.
On Thursday morning, the Isle of Arran had no major vessels in operation until the Glen Sannox resumed sailings at 15:00.
Mull continues to have one vessel, MV Coruisk, servicing its main Oban-Craignure route, while Islay is served by the ferry MV Finlaggan.
Barra and South Uist are experiencing reduced service levels, sharing the MV Isle of Mull.
Similarly, Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay face reduced services as the smaller vessel MV Lord of the Isles covers routes usually served by the MV Clansman.
CalMac confirmed that four vessels critical to service provision are currently in overhaul, with three additional ferries out of action due to technical issues.
The company also reported that its new ferry, MV Isle of Islay, is undergoing sea trials to address a small number of outstanding issues. However, it is at significant risk of not entering service for the start of the summer timetable on Friday, with sailings cancelled until Sunday.
"We are in an unprecedented situation where four major vessels are in overhaul, three are off service with technical issues and there's a risk to our newest vessel entering service for the start of our summer timetable," said CalMac chief executive officer Duncan Mackison.
"Collectively, this is causing network-wide issues and impacting service levels for Arran, Barra, Coll, Colonsay, Islay, Mull, South Uist and Tiree.
"We apologise to everyone affected by disruption, and we're doing everything we can to restore services as quickly as possible."
Earlier this month, both ferries on the main route to Arran were suspended due to a technical problem with MV Glen Sannox, just one week after it returned to service following earlier repairs.
The troubled vessel requires new propellers as part of a multi-million pound overhaul. Shipyard officials informed a Holyrood committee that costs for Glen Sannox could reach £3.2 million after a small crack was discovered in the hull.
Long-Term Home Challenges for New Ferries
This week, it was also revealed that two new CalMac ferries, delivered late and over budget, will not be able to dock at a publicly-owned harbour until at least 2029.
The Scottish government stated that facilities at Ardrossan are currently not equipped to accommodate MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa.
The harbour, which was taken into public ownership last month, is intended to serve as the long-term home for these services.
Glen Sannox began sailings in January last year, nearly seven years after its originally scheduled delivery date.
The Glen Rosa is expected to be delivered by the end of this year, by which time the total cost of building it at the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard is projected to exceed £197 million.
