Swinney apologises to islanders again over ferry disruption

First Minister John Swinney has again apologised to islanders over ferry disruption as one of the fleet’s newest vessels remains out of action.

A number of sailings on the Glen Sannox between Troon and the Isle of Arran were cancelled on Tuesday as publicly-owned operator CalMac struggled with a “reoccurring technical issue” in the vessel’s engine.

The ferry has been repeatedly taken out of service since its first sailing last January, after having been at the centre of a political wrangle over how long it took and how much it cost for the vessel and its sister ship, the Glen Rosa, which is yet to carry passengers, to be built.

The west coast ferry fleet has struggled in recent weeks, with eight vessels out of service at one point in March.

Speaking to the Press Association on Tuesday, the First Minister apologised again to islanders hit by the disruption as he faced criticism for his government’s handling of the fleet.

“There is very focused work going on to make sure that vessels can be in service and operating,” he said.

“Obviously, the Government is procuring a significant investment in the fleet with three additional vessels coming from the Cemre yard and the Glen Rosa yet to be completed and seven smaller vessels already in production.”

The First Minister said that, while the Government was “investing” in new vessels, he understood the difficulties the disruption caused for islanders.

But Scottish Lib Dem transport spokesman Jamie Greene said the SNP had proven it could not be trusted with the country’s ferries, adding that his party would bring forward legislation in the next parliamentary term to guarantee ferry services for islanders and expand existing compensation schemes.

“Hearing that the MV Glen Sannox is out of action will further frustrate the communities and businesses that depend on this essential route, who have already been let down repeatedly by the SNP,” he said.

“From launching vessels with painted on windows, failing to deal with cancellations, and putting in place an inadequate compensation scheme, the Scottish Government has shown it cannot be trusted with this essential transport infrastructure.”

While Scottish Labour transport spokesman Daniel Johnson said the Government’s “ferry fiasco continues to grow by the day”.

“This crisis has been years in the making and blame lies firmly at the door of this chaotic and incompetent SNP government – but no one has ever been held accountable,” he said.

“Islanders, taxpayers and shipyard workers are all paying the price for SNP failure – but enough is enough.”