. [19] This allows her to berth a considerable distance from slipways, protecting her exposed Azipod propulsion systems in shallow waters. MVLord of the Isles, The server encountered an internal error or In 2019, the shipyard went back into administration and was nationalised after ministers rejected a last-ditch offer from Mr McColl to split the cost of completing the two ferries, claiming this would breach EU state aid rules. "However, the meeting left CalMac and Transport Scotland in no doubt that the current situation is unendurable," he said. error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. Hebrides - This ferry has been providing relief cover between Lochmaddy and Ullapool while work is being done to Skye's Uig pier. The fleet can be categorised into various groups. [7], Before heading to Birkenhead for her overhaul in January 2018, she called at Campbeltown to test the berth. MVHebrides, If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Bow Thruster: 2 x Caterpillar 3412 approx 520kW (700hp) each. She was built in 2015 as Utne and operated for Norled for 6 years. He said: "It is material that I take seriously, about which I have concerns, which raises fundamental issues for me about the fairness and the appropriateness of the tender process.". MVCaledonian Isles, "Completing the essential overhaul schedule and returning vessels to service is our priority, and we thank you for your patience and understanding.". [1] The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route is operated by two vessels, built in Poland, MVBute (delivered in spring 2005) and MVArgyle, which entered service in 2007. The article. More: Kerevan and his paper attack not a company, but a community. Even more troubling is what one can ascertain of the journalistic background. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. GMB union convener John McMunagle said the concerns were raised at board meetings, where they highlighted that there were "managers everywhere" - but they could not get steelworkers. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. It came as islanders complained to CalMac about food shelves being bare as vital supplies were not reaching shops and evidence of panic buying. The operator had said in an emergency timetable plan brought in on Tuesday that all options for a relief vessel had been explored and said that vessels across the rest of the CalMac network will remain on their timetabled routes for the current time. The delays have added to pressure on CalMac's old and increasingly unreliable fleet. Travel company https://www.youtube.com/user/CalMacFerriesLtd The two ferries are still being built for CalMac, but will be at least 150m over budget and five years late. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. No prominent backers appear for Ash Regan despite claims endorsements would arrive this week. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. .''. To qualify for concessionary SPT ferry fares, you must live permanently (or own, and pay council tax, in respect of a 2nd home) on one of the islands covered by the scheme or live on the . Humza Yousaf takes the lead as SNP members swing behind Nicola Sturgeon's man, The 'worst health secretary in the history of devolution' is just ahead of his rivals in the SNP leadership contest, although a third of Nat members still don't know who to vote for, Ian Blackford 'looking forward' to end of police probe into SNP's 'murky' finances as he dodges Peter Murrell question. In Denmark, fully-electric ferries are already sailing but only on relatively short routes. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. She has the capacity for 100 passengers. Hopelessly Kerevan exposes himself, like Lord Darlington's cynic, as one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. MVFinlaggan, and During the period of the summer timetable there is an additional sailing on Friday evenings, leaving Ardrossan at 2030, returning from Brodick at 2140. Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:35, "Costs double on delayed CalMac ferry contract", "Shipyard turnaround is 'most challenging in UK', "Gourock passengers' anger as Arran ferry is given priority", "New Arran Ferry set to launch next June - government confirms", "New Brodick Ferry Terminal Opens To Passengers", "Technical failure causes major disruption to Arran ferry", "CalMac ferry breakdown and five Storm Corrie service suspensions cause disruption", "Ferry out of action for at least three weeks after crash breaks engine", "CalMac sorry for disruption with broken ferries sidelined", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MV_Caledonian_Isles&oldid=1141798879, Main: 2 x Mirrlees Blackstone MB275/8T 2,200kW (2,900hp) each, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:35. CMAL said in a statement that new information contained in the programme would need to be "carefully investigated". Back in 2015, the 97m order was seen as a lifeline for Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow - the. That came after there was an outcry when MV Hebridean Isles was sent from its normal Islay route to assist when the safety issues surfaced for a second time the previous week. We are doing this to improve the experience forour loyalreaders and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. Caledonian Isles has also been relieved by MVIsle of Mull, MVLord of the Isles and MVHebridean Isles. Jim McColl said "with hindsight" having the CalMac document put Ferguson in a strong position. Two years later tenders went out for two new large ships - one for the Arran route and the other destined for the "Uig triangle", serving Skye, North Uist and Harris. Even then, blundering officials had to remove the documents after they forgot to redact her bank details, Frogmore eviction 'leaked' by Palace as political tactic insider claims. It added that some staff employed at the time had now left. The truth is brutal. Now and again we're reminded. CalMac is the Scottish Government-owned operator of the current eight-year ferry contract, awarded by Transport Scotland after a competition with private sector operator Serco and due to end in. On Friday 22nd April, CalMac announced that Caledonian Isles would remain out of service for at least three weeks whilst undergoing repairs in Troon. SUNK BY CALMAC 'Weather-shy' ferry service could spell ruin for isle seafood firm, risking 100 jobs 2021-04-01 - By John Jeffay . Why doesn't he name them? Bad weather prevented Caledonian Isles from berthing in Troon, reducing the service to passenger-only from Ardrossan. MV Loch Seaforth, at 116m (381ft) in length the largest vessel in the fleet, operates on the Ullapool to Stornoway, Lewis crossing. THE owner of Scotland's ferry fleet demanded a foreign firm pay up to 100,000 to gain UK maritime approval for a 9m vessel it was negotiating to buy to ease chaos on the network ending in the. CMAL's argument is that it needs to build long-lifespan "quality" ships, interchangeable between routes and capable of withstanding often harsh conditions. This has resulted in some island communities being left relying on a single ferry as some boats were taken off their usual routes to cover other services. Two new dual fuel ferries are being built by Ferguson Marine Engineering. Initially scheduled to return to service on 2nd February,[14] she experienced significant delays during overhaul due to additional steel work and engine repairs being required. MVHebridean Isles, The fantasy of El Cheapo Highland shipping operations was blown, surely, by the debacle of Orkney Ferries in 1989. He sent in senior staff to examine business opportunities but felt there were too many issues that needed "tidying up" and waited until it fell into administration. MVChieftain is a passenger-only vessel leased from Clyde Marine to operate the Gourock to Kilcreggan service since June 2020. CalMac's ''monopoly must go'', declared the Wednesday editorial, and its routes would be ''best franchised in separate bundles''. He has been contacted for comment. History. It's a ''nationalised dinosaur'' succeeding in only one thing - ''getting the taxpayer to fork out.''. These can be moved up and down to their deployed or stowed positions. Most islands in the west of Scotland rely on services from state-owned CalMac, which operates 34 vessels - the largest fleet in the UK. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. There are presently ten vessels over 80 metres (260 feet) in length in the CalMac fleet: CMAL may have broken its own rules by allowing Ferguson to go ahead with its bid despite being unable to provide evidence of a builders refund guarantee, a mandatory financial safeguard, Ferguson obtained a 424-page document from a design consultant setting out CalMac's technical requirements, while other bidders had to rely on a more limited 125-page specification. The shipyard was allowed to significantly change its design halfway through the tender by developing a variant mentioned but discounted in its original submission. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. "Why isn't there an automatic plan in place, so that when a ferry goes off there is another there and you do this and that. Isle of Arran undertook services from Ardrossan to Campbeltown on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, returning on Friday, Saturday (via Brodick) and Sunday, whilst still operating from Ardrossan to Arran outwith its Campbeltown sailings. She was built in 2017 by Malakoff Limited in Shetland. The current chief executive of CMAL, Kevin Hobbs, declined to be interviewed and when confronted by BBC Disclosure about the findings, made no comment. [1] Now[when? She is a bow loading vessel of similar design to the Island Class vessels and can take twelve passengers and one car, although due to vehicle restrictions on Kerrera she rarely carries cars. [10], In October 2019, Caledonian Isles was diverted to Troon as the linkspans in both Ardrossan and Gourock - the vessel's usual port of diversion - failed, resulting in vehicles being unable to board or alight from the ferry there. Argyll Flyer was not available for the start of the passenger-only service due to prop shaft problems. She was built in 2015 as Utne and operated for Norled for 6 years. For god's sake do something will you, CalMac. They remain in close local contact with communities and hauliers and are working with them to prioritise the movement of essential supplies. This peak summer service originally operated between June and August however, due to demand, operates from May to September since 2013. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Talent like Captains Gunn or Morrison of the Hebrides, or chief engineer MacLennan of the Caledonian Isles, is not readily found nor lightly bought. [12], In April 2022, Caledonian Isles suffered a port engine failure and struck the breakwater. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can At least three runs - Stornoway, Craignure, and Brodick - are notionally profitable. Nor are we advised of Professor Kay's expertise in maritime affairs, but his obscurity is such that he enjoys no entry in Who's Who in Scotland. Passenger accommodation is down one or both sides of the ship. Sign up to our daily newsletter here. 2023 BBC. It said its board had voiced concerns to Transport Scotland about the contract award to Fergusons, particularly in relation to the lack of refund guarantees, which were well-documented. In February 2012, Caledonian Isles was in dry-dock to repair damage sustained in a collision with Winton Pier, Ardrossan. "We understand how much our customers and communities we serve rely on ferry services, and how challenging this period is. [11] From 30 June 2011, the Gourock - Dunoon service was awarded on a passenger-only basis to the newly formed David MacBrayne Ltd subsidiary Argyll Ferries. MVClansman, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has pledged to look into the new evidence. He said: "With hindsight, it put us in a very strong position, because we were responding to what CalMac were looking for, and not what CMAL had put out to the other yards. Abby Coleman added: "This is getting ridiculous, having limited supplies in shops, being limited to one bottle of milk, which sadly is unrealistic for some. Hebridean Isles was scheduled to operate alongside Isle of Arran, however significant technical faults saw her providing a freight-only service between Brodick and Troon, before being withdrawn from service altogether in late February.[15]. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Yet it is false to say that ''not one of Caledonian MacBrayne's 29 vessels'' makes a profit. Editors' Code of Practice. Read about our approach to external linking. CalMac is ''renowned for its high prices, uncomfortable boats, and disregard for customers . After a month the Caithness linkspan was destroyed by gales; the affair finally cost islanders some (pounds) 7m. MV Hebrides has been withdrawn from service twice because of issues with its fire suppressant system. CalMac is conducting its own internal inquiry and said the. contact the editor here. Read about our approach to external linking. The Aberdeen youth product is training with the under-21s after falling out-of-favour on Tyneside. 'For god's sake do something': Food rationing fury as islanders blame CalMac ferry cancellations. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'OK' about leaving Frogmore Cottage following Buckingham Palace's eviction, The couple are said to have accepted that they were privileged to have a house in the US and the UK, Humza Yousaf's lawyer Aamer Anwar wades into same-sex marriage debate as statement defends missed vote, The human rights lawyer has released a statement from the family of Mohammad Asghar, who was placed on death row in Pakistan in January 2014 and whose case was discussed by the SNP leadership contender at a much-scrutinised meeting at Holyrood the following month, SNP blasted for 'dragging their heels' over dangerous cladding programme as they spend less than 1m of 97m funding pot. It is now understood while the Scottish Government has come under increasing fire over a failure to deal with the ferries crisis, it is now considering setting up a compensation fund for islands using fines it has imposed on CalMac for underperformance. Highland Seabird, despite carrying 60,000 passengers in a season, proved utterly uneconomic. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, a system used for the Danish island of Samso, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. In 1974 the average life of a ferry was 13 years old. [1] During the summer, MVIsle of Arran, replaced at Islay in 2011,[2] supplements the Ardrossan - Brodick service and sails to Campbeltown. During her repairs, MVHebridean Isles took up service on the Arran crossing, while MVCatriona operated a shuttle service from Claonaig to Lochranza to clear the backlog of traffic unable to board the smaller Hebridean Isles at Ardrossan. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Then, a temporary repair which satisfied the appropriate authorities gained the ship a short term dispensation to sail. Catalog; For You; Scottish Daily Mail. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he was concerned by the BBC's findings and would look into the matter further. The head of Scotland's state-owned ferry network has admitted the service is getting worse. At 30.2m (99ft 1in) in length, they can carry 12 cars and 200 passengers. The documents indicate that no other bidder was given a similar opportunity to revise its submission so significantly. Announcements that Caledonian MacBrayne ferries have been withdrawn from service for repairs are becoming an increasingly common occurrence.