CalMac apologise after MV Hebridean Isles ferry works delayed with temporary timetable

CalMac have apologised after work to repair MV Hebridean Isles has led to further delays.

Work to fix a pitch propeller issue has so far been unsuccessful meaning the ferry is out of service.

The vessel remains in dry dock in Troon with engineers working to resolve the issue.

As a result of the delays, MV Isle of Arran will remain on the Islay route while Ardrossan-Brodick will continue to be served by MV Caledonian Isles and MV Alfred until July 27 inclusively.

The issue also means that the Campbeltown ferry service will remain cancelled until July 27 at the earliest.

MV Alfred will operate to the current published timetable from June 30 and MV Isle of Arran bookings will be transferred to that vessel.

Once the transfer is complete by the end of next week, any remaining capacity will be bookable for customers.

CalMac say they will contact customers directly to make them aware of the changes.

MV Alfred will continue to operate three return sailings on Friday and Monday and two return sailings on Tuesday and Thursday from June 30.

MV Lord of the Isles is expected to return to the Lochboisdale route on July 1 when MV Finlaggan returns to the Islay route from annual maintenance.

Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac, said: “Ongoing work to MV Hebridean Isles has so far not fixed the issue and I am sorry that this has not yet been resolved. This delay is causing network-wide disruption and means that we must make difficult decisions regarding services once again.

“As we do not have a return to service date, we have had to plan service delivery around its continued absence using the vessels we have available.

“We will reassess these deployment plans as soon as we have a date of return for MV Hebridean Isles.”