CalMac Sees Improvement with Third Ferry Back in Service
Scotland's ferry shortage is improving as a third major vessel is set to resume service, according to CalMac. The MV Lord of the Isles, which operates the Oban to Mull route, is ready to sail again following repairs to its main engine that had previously taken it out of service.
The operator described its network as "critical" last weekend after multiple issues resulted in four ferries requiring repairs while another four were undergoing annual maintenance.
Earlier this week, the MV Glen Sannox returned to service on the Arran route, and the MV Isle of Islay, the newest ferry in the fleet, began operations after resolving initial snagging issues.
However, CalMac's chief executive Duncan Mackison cautioned passengers to anticipate potential weather disruptions over the Easter weekend due to Storm Dave.
"We recognise that, though we're getting to a much better place, services in parts of the network are below what was planned and there's a named storm on the way.
All our efforts are on stabilising things, and we expect two vessels back from annual overhaul next week.
We have detailed information on our website for customers travelling over Easter weekend."
Current Status of CalMac Ferries
At present, one major vessel is out of service due to technical problems, and four others are undergoing annual maintenance. Storm Dave is forecast to bring blizzards and high winds across large parts of Scotland.
The Met Office has issued three separate yellow wind warnings for Scotland, with snow expected in the west Highlands, Argyll, and the Western Isles.
Power company SSEN has warned that gusts could reach approximately 80 mph in parts of the Western Isles and Skye, with high winds also expected to affect Orkney and Shetland on Sunday.
Ferry shortages have forced CalMac to rearrange vessels across its west coast network. Currently, there is no direct service to Lochboisdale; instead, a combined service operates between Castlebay, Uig, and Lochmaddy.
The MV Lord of the Isles suspended sailings on 28 March due to a "technical issue" with its main engine. Additionally, the 49-year-old Isle of Cumbrae ferry developed a fault on Monday.
The return of the Glen Sannox means the busy Arran route now has a two-ferry service, provided that weekend weather does not disrupt sailings.
Two other large vessels, the Isle of Lewis and Hebrides, remain out of service for scheduled maintenance or repairs, along with the chartered catamaran Alfred and the smaller ferry Loch Frisa.
CalMac has described the current vessel shortages as "unprecedented," citing technical faults as the primary cause. These issues have been compounded by other ships being away for scheduled annual maintenance and inspections.
