As feared, CalMac have confirmed that the problems with the Caledonian Isles’ propulsion system are unresolved. The Isle of Mull will therefore be re-deployed to the Lochboisdale service, to enable a vessel cascade that in turn will cover for the concurrent absence of the Cale Isles and the MV Alfred.
We await news of whether some extra capacity on the Lochaline-Fishnish service will be forthcoming. It appears that our request that the IOM be shared with the Lochboisdale service on alternate days is not being implemented. Timetabled calls into and out of Craignure as the IOM passes also do not appear in CalMac’s plans. We will press further on those points.
Full text of CalMac’s message below.:
Unfortunately, MV Caledonian Isles will not return to service by 07 July. This is the date when MV Alfred comes off-service for essential maintenance until 21 July. Last week, we shared deployment plans for the whole network based on having MV Caledonian and Isles and on the basis of not having her. We will now be implementing the deployment plan which accounts for not having the vessel in service. This plan covers the two-week period, 07-21 July, when MV Alfred is off service. We also have to account for MV Lord of the Isles being off service for 3 days between 09-11 July for cylinder head works on her main engines. These works are essential to reducing the risk of a serious failure in the engines which would take the vessel out of service for much longer than three days and cause further disruption. Potential deployment from 22 July onwards will be shared at a later date and are subject to further developments with MV Caledonian Isles.
Service impact
Here is the deployment plan for the period 07-21 July for all major routes.
| Area | Route | Vessel |
| Arran | Ardrossan-Brodick | MV Isle of Arran (excluding most of 9 July, all of 10 July, and most of 11 July) |
| Troon-Brodick | MV Glen Sannox (amended timetable when single-vessel service) | |
| Islay | Kennacraig – Islay | MV Finlaggan MV Lord of the Isles (excluding 9 to 11 July when offline for repairs) MV Isle of Arran (part of 9 July, all of 10 July and part of 11 July) |
| Mull | Oban-Craignure | MV Coruisk MV Loch Frisa MV Isle of Mull (shared with South Uist on days when capacity allows) |
| Barra | Castlebay-Oban | MV Isle of Lewis |
| Coll/Tiree | Oban-Coll / Tiree | MV Clansman |
| Colonsay | Oban-Colonsay | MV Clansman MV Lord of the Isles (Wed and Sat) but no sailing on 9 July No sailing on 10 July due to Tiree Music Festival |
| South Uist | Oban/Mallaig-Lochboisdale | MV Isle of Mull |
| Skye | Mallaig-Armadale | MV Loch Fyne |
| Little Minch | Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy | MV Hebrides |
| Lewis | Ullapool-Stornoway | MV Loch Seaforth |
Impact on Mull
Mull will continue to see reduced capacity with MV Coruisk and MV Loch Frisa delivering the core service for this period.
MV Isle of Mull is required to provide Oban-Lochboisdale services during this period, with other vessels redeployed to cover the absence of MV Caledonian Isles and MV Alfred.
MV Isle of Mull will provide sailings via Craignure on the Lochboisdale service on days when there is capacity and it complies with crew hours of rest.
We know you asked about additional services on Lochaline-Fishnish and we are still reviewing if this is possible.
We’re also looking at the possibility of MV Isle of Lewis calling at Craignure on days when conditions allow. There are significant berthing challenges at Oban, and we also have to factor these in to planning.
MV Caledonian Isles latest
Data gathered from sea trials on the pitch control issues on the vessel are under review by the manufacturer, Kongsberg Marine. We’re working closely with them to establish options for addressing this issue, which may require drydocking. We’re progressing this as quickly as we can and more information will follow as soon as possible.
Finally, I apologise for the disruption your community has experienced so far this year and will experience over this period. We’re all working hard to try and provide the best service we can across every route on the network, but our options are limited by the vessels currently available to us. Whilst we know there has been significant disruption for a prolonged period time, it is particularly challenging to be dealing with this in the middle of summer.