Caledonian Isles return delayed as specialist flies in from Norway
CalMac has now said that further work will be required before the ship can enter service – with a specialist having to travel from Norway to assist with the investigation into the fault.
The vessel is now set to resume service between Ardrossan and Brodick on Wednesday 25 June.
Until then, all customer demand will continue to be met with a two-vessel service out of Troon with MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred.
Problems have dogged the MV Caledonian Isles for more than a year (Image: NQ) Efforts to resolve the gearbox issue are ongoing, with several potential root causes having been eliminated over the past few days.
The vessel will undertook further trials on Tuesday 17 June to gather data.
Kongsberg, the manufacturer of the gearbox, is sending a technical specialist to the vessel who will arrive on Thursday.
Months of major repair work took place in dry dock at Cammell Laird shipyard in Merseyside, requiring removal of the ship's engines.
The ferry, which serves the main Arran route and is one of the largest ships in the company's fleet, was originally supposed to have returned to the water following repairs last November.
But this was set back by the discovery of 'steel deformation' and the need to replace both stern tube bearings.
The MV Caledonian Isles, docked at Broddick (Image: NQ) The company said 'extensive' repairs to the steel had to be completed, but the shafts required further 'machining' in Denmark before sailings could resume.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: 'Whilst we recognise a further delay is disappointing, we have taken the decision to extend the return date into next week to provide customers and the community with certainty ahead of the weekend.
'Continuing to have MV Alfred as part of the fleet means that we can honour all customer bookings, so visitors can still travel to and from Arran as planned.
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