During other re-deployments when the IOM has been taken elsewhere, we have made efforts to have the situation mitigated by freeing up the south berth of Craignure pier. This could have allowed the Coruisk to over-night there (instead of in Oban), thereby enabling the Loch Frisa to operate a longer timetable. In the circumstances we now face, the same could be done or it could enable the Isle of Mull to operate to Lochboisdale from an Oban base. That could in turn enable it to continue to operate some sailings to Craignure. Either way, if the south berth of Craignure pier was made available to CalMac, they would have more options open to them.
However, Argyll and Bute Council insist that prior bookings that have been made for the small cruise boats Lord of the Glens and Lord of the Highlands will take precedence, and they will not cancel them in order to allow CalMac to use the pier. We think that is preposterous. It’s a public ferry pier, and public lifeline ferry services should take precedence. We find it astonishing that the Council apparently do not agree with that.
We’ve written on numerous occasions previously to Council officials, the Council Leader Jim Lynch and the Chief Executive Pippa Milne. We have never received a satisfactory reply. Given the current crisis of capacity occurring in the height of the summer season, and the speed with which a decision must be taken, we have written again to both Pippa Milne and Jim Lynch. Below you can see the full text of those emails.
The Council need to make a decision on this immediately, so that CalMac can plan accordingly. The cruise boats have alternatives – they could use Fishnish timber pier, Lochaline old pier, Salen pier, or Tobermory (if CalMac move the Loch Riddon to the pontoon, which they have demonstrated is possible). We’re publishing here, in order to make the urgency of the situation clear. We have given them a deadline of 9am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning to respond, given the urgency (note we first emailed Jim Lynch requesting this on June 27th, but got no reply).
Quite maddening. Thank you for the information. Have emailed Jim Lynch and Pippa Milne. Good grief!
The “Lord of the Glens” and “Lord of the Highlands” are valued customers of West Coast Motors. The hires from Craignure go to Iona and Duart.
Be careful what you wish for !
Hi Alasdair
They can still use the berth during the day, which is when they set out on coach tours. The clash is overnight, when none of the passengers come ashore (to our knowledge). They simply need a safe berth for the night, and they have several other options aside from occupying one side of the ferry pier. THey could use Lochaline pier, the newly refurbished Salen pier, the Fishnish timber pier, or Tobermory pier (which is actually where they would prefer to be, and used to until a few years ago when the Kilchoan ferry stopped using a mooring overnight and now berths alongside). She could double-berth on Tobermory pier if the bollards were upgraded (CMAL say they aren’t strong enough apparently), or the Loch Riddon could perhaps use the commercial pontoon – which is what was done then space was needed for the Loch Portain one night. So there are lots of solutions, and none of them compromise the cruise company.