Newest CalMac ferry being taken out of service 15 weeks after entering service

CalMac’s newest ferry is set to be taken out of action for repairs 15 weeks after entering service.

The MV Isle of Islay, the first of the fleet to be built in Turkey, officially entered service at the end of March after delays due to “unplanned technical issues”.

It operates on the Kennacraig to Islay route.

But CalMac confirmed it will be taken out of service for approximately two weeks while work is carried out at Dales Marine in Greenock.

The repairs are to address a bow ramp issue under warranty, which the ferry operator described as “a normal warranty issue” and “not anything out of the ordinary for a new vessel”.

CalMac said that the ferry has continued sailing with the issue for several weeks and that the repair window had been planned around dock availability.

The Isle of Islay was the first of four 95-metre-long ferries being built at Turkey’s Cemre shipyard. It has a capacity of 450 people, 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.

The vessel will also undergo work on around 150 “lesser” warranty items while in dry dock.

CalMac said that number of issues was typical for a new vessel, stressing that many were minor.

A spokesperson said the operator remained “very happy” with the vessel overall.

“She has been sailing with this issue for some time, but we are able to sort it just now because we have a resilience vessel available to replace her”, a spokesperson said.

“The work is planned for Dales Marine Service in Greenock in drydock and then at their facility at James Watt Dock.

“MV Isle of Arran will replace her, and along with MV Finlaggan, they are meeting demand, and in fact, there are spaces still available to book on both vessels throughout the two weeks.”

The Scottish Conservatives transport spokesperson and Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle described the Isle of Islay’s withdrawal for repairs as another “hammer blow for islanders”.