More problems have been uncovered on the Caledonian Isles, including further steelwork that needs to be replaced and damage to both stern tube bearings. CalMac have abandoned any hope of the ship returning to service this winter, and are now planning on the assumption that she won’t be in service until summer timetables start in late March.
Together with the loss of the Hebridean Isles, delay to the arrival of the new Isle of Islay from Turkey and still no confirmed date for the handover of the Glen Sannox, CalMac are running out of deployment options.
This week an options paper was circulated to community reps across the network, laying out three deployment options. In the case of Craignure – Oban however, all three options are the same. There is no longer a vessel available to operate alongside the Frisa for any period between now and late March.
The final deployment decisions for the rest of the network will be made by Monday 11th, and those with bookings will begin to be contacted next week. But whatever the decisions for elsewhere in the network, “Frisa Solo” is the only option on the table for Mull (except for March 8th – 27th, when the Frisa goes to dry-dock and the IOM will run the service).
As a small mitigation, CalMac say they should be able to add a return sailing early on Wednesday and Friday mornings operated by the Clansman or LOTI.
Should there be any dry-dock delays or other breakdowns over the winter, CalMac’s possible next steps will be extremely limited. Further degradation to Craignure – Oban is highly unlikely however, since the Loch Frisa can’t operate from any other ports.
I’m almost afraid to comment as someone will accuse me of CLM bashing. This is not a problem of CLMs causing. The Scottish Transport Dep on behalf of the Scottish Government through the absolutely useless CMal Organisation should be finding replacement tonnage worldwide, they owe the island populations no less.
Is there any possibility of extending the hours of FIshnish Lochaline with a second crew? This will give us all a bit more flexibility and capacity.
We can ask.
is the Coruisk not available Jan till summer table
Coruisk can only operate here in the summer due to her certification.
This is a total disaster. Less than a full week into solo operation the Frisa is struggling to cope this year. Numerous sailings have been cancelled due to lack of available crew. The 3.55pm sailing on Friday (yesterday) must have been at close to the vessel’s effective passenger capacity, saved only by it being unseasonably mild enough for people to stand outside. There are very few available vehicle slots on daytime sailings in the coming weeks; early and late sailings are frequently cancelled as previously mentioned. In short, what works on a spreadsheet in Gourock doesn’t work when it collides with practical reality on the ground. We definitely need later Lochaline operations. As a minimum all sailings to and from Tiree and Barra should be calling at Craignure and the boats operating these routes should be providing extra sailings when ever possible. Even the Lewis can berth at Craignure, albeit at slightly alarming wonky angle!