Protest planned for Sunday

A protest to take place in Craignure has been planned for this Sunday 13th at 10am. Using Facebook, Tobermory local Michelle Devlin has proposed a general protest against the state of our ferry service. We are supporting it as an opportunity to press home to all organisations and politicians how badly we are being impacted, and the strength of feeling on Mull and Iona.

The protest starts at 10am. The objective is not to blockade or cause any difficulty at the port – just turn up in numbers to have your voice heard. We will be letting the press know. Also remember folks that most of the problems we experience have their roots in decisions made by people other than CalMac. Transport Scotland, Scottish Government Ministers, and CMAL are responsible for the planning and procurement mistakes, as well as the lack of investment. Staff and crew on the front line are victims just like us.

Whats the current situation with the Craignure – Oban service?

The MV Isle of Mull is now operating between Lochboisdale and Oban every day until July 23rd. WIth the Coruisk filling in for the Isle of Mull, our daily vehicle capacity is reduced by 22% and passenger capacity by far more,, during what should be the busiest month of the year. This is due to the concurrent absence of the Caledonian Isles and the Alfred, requiring vessels to be shuffled across the network.
Most suggestions we made to mitigate things have been deemed undeliverable.

• CalMac say there will be little free space and little free time (ie working time limits) for the IOM to call in to Craignure as it passes on its way to/from Lochboisdale.
• Our suggestion that the IOM’s time should be split between Lochboisdale and Craignure has been turned down, due to the volume of traffic already booked to travel in/out of Lochboisdale.
• Our suggestion that the Loch Fyne be moved from Mallaig and instead operate between Oban and Craignure as a third vessel is not deliverable because the vessel does not hold the necessary certification (this is a matter of paperwork, not anything physical)
• There are no spare minor vessels that can move to Lochaline-Fishnish to supplement the Lochinvar
• Our suggestion that the Coruisk over-night in Craignure and allow the Loch Frisa to operate additional sailings early and late has not been pursued for a variety of reasons, but primarily because the extra sailings she could run are at unpopular times.
• Questioning of why Coruisk and Frisa could not operate to Arran (at least in summer) is resulting in assessment of the potetntial addition of Ardrossan-Brodick to their permitted plying limits (but this will not help us immediately)
• Sufficient additional crew could not be found that would enable the Lochinvar to operate longer hours between Locahaline and Fishnish
• Therefore, the Loch Riddon will be moved from the Tobermory – Kilchoan service from Thursday – Saturday this week and next, and instead operate as a second vesssel alongside the Lochinvar.
• We have urged CalMac to encourage use of Lochaline-FIshnish wherever possible, including by contacting everyone who has had a cancelled or changed booking.

Any news on the compensation scheme?

We have written to Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport – see below. So far there has been no response. The omission of Mull and Iona from the scheme to compensate businesses for the failing ferry system is totally unjust. Since March we have had our vehicle capacity continuously reduced by 22%, and instead only the small number of islands who have had 15% or more cancellations qualify.

If you think this is unjust, or that the ferry system is letting you down, or damaging your business or making life on Mull and Iona more difficult – come along to the protest on Sunday.