Arran ferry to return to Ardrossan two months later than planned
The MV Caledonian Isles is expected to return to service sailing between Ardrossan and Brodick in June.
Passengers sailing between Arran and the mainland will be able to travel via Ardrossan for the first time in almost six months in June.
CalMac have announced that the MV Caledonian Isles is expected to return to service from week beginning Monday, June 9 - around two months later than initially hoped.
Delays with repairs to the propulsion shafts - which were sent to Denmark for machining - and further, unexpected repairs being undertaken have delayed the return of the MV Caledonian Isles.
Alignment and sea trials are expected to begin next week ahead of the MV Caledonian Isles returning to service in June.
The MV Glen Sannox and the MV Alfred will continue to operate services to Arran exclusively from Troon until at least June.
In an update to customers, CalMac said: "To provide certainty to our customers, we need to update the expected return to service date for MV Caledonian Isles, which ordinarily provides services to Arran. We now expect the vessel to return to service w/c Monday, June 9 instead of end of May. As previously communicated, we are committed to her operating Ardrossan-Brodick and we will be prepared for a return to service from any point from June 1 onwards.
"We have needed to review this date following the delay in the return of her propulsion shafts which were sent to Denmark for machining, during which time additional works were identified. She will begin to float up next week – and with this the next critical phase of work will begin with alignment and sea trials.
"Until MV Caledonian Isles returns to service, MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to operate on Troon-Brodick service, to the current timetable.
"Once we have confirmation of MV Caledonian Isles' readiness to return, we will publish details of her initial sailings via the service status page for the route. She is likely to be phased in to service over a short period of time rather than immediately beginning 5 return sailings per day.
"Bookings from/to Ardrossan - Brodick will remain available in the booking system from Sunday 1 June. We'll review this on w/c 19 May as work progresses. We want to ensure we don't amend or move bookings unless it is necessary. If your booking is affected, we will be in touch with you."
Ardrossan Harbour is too small to cope with the MV Glen Sannox - the second largest and the most complex vessel ever built for CalMac - and its sister ship the MV Glen Rosa.
Plans to upgrade the harbour were previously approved by the Scottish Government in 2018 but discussions between stakeholders stalled the work has yet to start.
In February, the Scottish Government announced they would explore nationalising Ardrossan Harbour so that upgrades could be done to allow the Arran ferry to return.
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