Preliminary work starts at Craignure pier, small vessels replacement and Lochaline marshalling improvements.

A jack-up platform something like the one in the image above will be appearing in Craignure bay this week. The platform will be in place for around five weeks, working around the clock. It will be drilling bore holes in the seabed close to the pier to measure ground conditions. Some work on the shore will also be involved. This is essential preliminary work that will inform detailed design work on the replacement pier for Craignure that will be coming in a few years time.

No disruption to ferry services is expected.

Small Vessel Replacement Plan

CMAL’s next major procurement is for a series of vessels to renew some of the the small vessel fleet (7 in the first phase). Replacements for Tobermory-Kilchoan, Fishnish-Lochaline and Fionnphort-Iona are all included in the program, which is intended to go out to tender later this year.

CMAL are holding a series of public events on Mull and Iona this week, where you can learn more about what is planned.

To see the dates and venues and learn more about the Small Vessel Replacement Program, see the CMAL website here.

Marshalling Improvements at Lochaline

The chaos that can ensue in Lochaline during busy periods is to be addressed by new lane markings and signage that should be in place before the rally in October. We have helped with the design process, and we hope it should make it more likely that vehicles will board in order of arrival. But what should really make a difference is CalMac’s recruitment of seasonal staff to manage the queuing vehicles. As well as at Lochaline, shore staff are also being recruited for Fionnphort and Kilchoan. It is understood that as well as assisting with vehicle movements the shore staff will be selling tickets, a process that has become more difficult since the introduction of CalMac’s new ticketing system because of internet connection difficulties on the vessels.

The vacancies have a closing date of September 14th. If you are interested, see the CalMac recruitment page here.