STV NewsCalMac has said it is facing an “unprecedented level of challenges” on its network with a number of ferries out of action.
The operator has said disruption is impacting “virtually every island” served by a major vessel.
Four vessels are currently undergoing overhaul, while two major ferries are out of service due to technical problems.
Arran sailings have been disrupted after the MV Glen Sannox was taken out of service due to engine issues. The MV Isle of Arran has been taken out of service due to issues with its fire suppression system.
Services between Troon and Brodick have been cancelled throughout Friday, with a review expected at 5pm on whether they can resume on Saturday.
The MV Caledonian Isles returned to service on the Ardrossan to Arran route on Friday morning following repairs.
Mull’s sole vessel, MV Coruisk, operating on the main Oban-Craignure route, faced issues on Friday due to a technical issue with its generator.
The MV Isle of Islay is undergoing inspections and trials, resulting in MV Finlaggan operating a single vessel timetable.
The MV Isle of Islay – the first of four 95-metre-long ferries being built at Turkey’s Cemre shipyard – arrived on the island earlier this month.
The vessel is still undergoing sea trials to fix a problem with its power management system and a number of snagging issues before it enters service.
Barra and South Uist are running on a reduced service, with both islands sharing the MV Isle of Mull.
Coll, Tiree and Colonsay also have a reduced service due to a smaller vessel, MV Lord of the Isles, covering the route instead of MV Clansman.
MV Clansman is covering Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy with MV Hebrides in planned maintenance.
The MV Alfred, MV Loch Frisa and MV Hebrides are not due back into service until April.
In an update on Friday morning, CalMac CEO Duncan Mackison said: “Though MV Caledonian Isles and MV Coruisk have returned to service, we’re still dealing with an unprecedented level of challenges on our network.
“This disruption is affecting virtually every island served by a major vessel, and we are profoundly sorry for that. We are doing what we can to restore these services as quickly as possible.
“We’re making progress with MV Isle of Islay’s outstanding snagging issues, and we’re taking MV Glen Sannox off service until Tuesday to try and permanently resolve the exhaust issue. Our aim is to get services back to planned levels ahead of and during the upcoming Easter weekend and holidays, and we’ll continue to keep island communities informed of our efforts to do so.”
The issues follow confirmation that the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa will not be able to dock at Ardrossan Harbour until 2029.
Ministers have said the North Ayrshire town is the long-term home of the service between the mainland and the Isle of Arran, but facilities at Ardrossan Harbour are not equipped to allow the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa, which is due to be delivered later this year, to dock there.
Since it was delivered, the Glen Sannox has used Troon as its mainland base, with the Glen Rosa expected to do the same when it enters service, compounding issues for islanders who rely on services in Ardrossan.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
