Latest news with #MVCaledonianIsles'
The National
07-05-2025
- Business
- The National
MV Caledonian Isles return faces further delay
With both the MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred unable to berth at the troubled Ardrossan Harbour, ferry users face a further period of longer sailings to Arran and back from Troon Harbour. The service between Ardrossan and Brodick has been absent since early this year - and may not return until the week beginning Monday, June 9. MV Caledonian Isles has been out of action since January 2024 when it went in for its annual overhaul. Repeated delays followed until it was announced that the vessel would return in November last year. But this was set back by the discovery of "steel deformation" and the need to replace both stern tube bearings. This pushed MV Caledonian Isles' return back until the end of March this year, only for it to be delayed again. A return in late April was then expected before it was announced that passengers would have to wait until the end of May at the earliest. Now, CalMac has advised that there is a "potential" further delay coming only weeks out from the anticipated return. The warning comes after the propulsion shafts, which were sent to Denmark for machining, arrived back at the vessel approximately 10 days later than scheduled. This was due to the need for additional works identified during the process. Despite the possible delay, CalMac says it is prepared for a return to service from any point from June 1 onwards. It also reaffirmed its commitment to MV Caledonian Isles operating out of Ardrossan when she returns. Duncan Mackison, the company's CEO, said: 'Progress has been checked every step of the way throughout what has been a complex repair programme. "This delay in completing the shafts has not affected confidence levels that MV Caledonian Isles will be serving Arran again in just a few weeks' time. 'A timeline which saw the vessel back in service by the end of May built in contingency, but that has largely been used up by the delay in getting the shafts back on board. "We anticipated the contingency time being required during alignment and sea trials, the critical phase of works we expect to enter next week when the vessel floats up. 'If we complete alignment and sea trials and there's no issues whatsoever, the original plan for resuming service by June 1 is viable and we're also planning for that eventuality. "But given the length of time the vessel has been in dock, it is prudent to build that contingency back in to give certainty to the community on Arran. 'Further details on her return to service will be confirmed in due course.' MV Alfred, which is on charter from Pentland Ferries, will continue to operate Troon-Brodick in early June should MV Caledonian Isles be delayed.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- BBC News
Return of MV Caledonian Isles ferry delayed for a further month
Ferry operator CalMac has announced that the return of the MV Caledonian Isles - which has been out of service since last February - has been delayed by a further ship has faced a series of issues including rust and twisted had been due to return to the Arran route by the end of April, but that has now been pushed back to the end of then, the service to Brodick will continue from Troon with a two-vessel service of MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred. CalMac said it had found new issues with the tubes for MV Caledonian Isles' propeller state-owned operator's chief executive officer Duncan Mackison said: "We know MV Caledonian Isles' ongoing absence has caused significant disruption on Arran and the wider network, and that's why we've taken steps to ensure that when she returns, she provides a resilient and reliable service."We're in regular contact with Arran's ferry committee and want to reassure the local community that we expect MV Caledonian Isles back soon."Meanwhile, a further delay to the return of MV Hebrides from scheduled annual maintenance has also been said the vessel, which operates on the Uig triangle, requires an extra six days of work to the bow visor and stern is now set to return on Tuesday 22 current alternative deployment plan will continue until the vessel is back in service.
