Below is the full text of an email received from CalMac management this morning.
<<added at the bottom is an update email received at 17:00 today (Thursday 26th) >>
Hi All,
We are writing to all communities this morning to set out the current challenges facing services across our network right now. We know the network has been under sustained pressure in recent years, but the scenario we are in right now may be the most pressing we’ve faced.
At the time of sharing this statement:
- Arran has no major vessels currently in service
- Mull has one vessel (MV Coruisk) operating their main route of Oban-Craignure
- Islay has one vessel (MV Finlaggan) operating to the island
- Barra and South Uist have a reduced service as they are sharing a vessel (MV Isle of Mull)
- Coll, Tiree & Colonsay have a reduced service due to a smaller vessel than normal providing their service (MV Lord of the Isles instead of MV Clansman)
We currently have four vessels critical to providing these services in overhaul. These are:
- MV Alfred (due back in service 6 April)
- MV Loch Frisa (due back in service 9 April)
- MV Hebrides (due back in service 15 April)
- MV Isle of Lewis (extended drydock for steelwork, due back in service by end of May)
This has been compounded by the following issues:
- MV Caledonian Isles has been off service on Sunday 22 March
- MV Glen Sannox has come off service this morning, reporting an issue with the port main engine
- MV Isle of Islay is conducting sea trials to rectify a small number of outstanding issues and is at significant risk of not being in service for the start of the summer timetable tomorrow, with sailings cancelled up to and including this Sunday
- MV Isle of Arran reported a technical issue with her fire suppression system on Wednesday 25 March and remain off service
Considering all of the above, here is what lies ahead today.
- We expect an update on MV Glen Sannox’s issue by 1pm as to whether she will be able to return to service this afternoon
- MV Isle of Arran sailings are cancelled this morning, with a review at 11pm for sailings from 12.15pm
- We expect an update on MV Isle of Islay’s sea trials late this afternoon and will then be able to provide an update on plans for her entry to service
- A third-party engineer is onboard MV Caledonian Isles this morning and we expect the vessel to complete sea trials this afternoon and will provide an update on these later this afternoon.
Finally, the weather forecast over the weekend means we expect a number of routes to see cancellations. I apologise for the ongoing disruption to services locally and across the network. This is a fast-moving situation, and we expect more updates to come to you throughout the day. We’re doing everything we can to get vessels back in service as quickly as possible.
Kind Regards
<<<<>>>>
Email received at 17:00:
Afternoon all, please see below further update
Following on from my email this morning, I am getting in touch with an update on the vessels we’ve had issues with and the impact on services.
Unfortunately, the issue with MV Isle of Islay’s power management system reoccurred during trials this afternoon and therefore the vessel will be unavailable for service over the weekend. The issue is occurring inconsistently and fault-finding continues. Engineers from the relevant system manufacturers have been onboard since Wednesday to provide support and will continue to do so over the weekend. The crew have identified several snagging issues today and will continue to work hard over the weekend to try and diagnose and resolve this. This is disappointing but I am pleased to report that progress has been made with other vessels.
MV Glen Sannox has returned to service on Troon-Brodick. Repairs were successfully completed earlier this afternoon, and she is operating an amended timetable for the rest of the day.
MV Caledonian Isles has seen new components installed to address the issue of mechanical overspeed. Testing onboard is indicating that the installation of these parts has resolved the issue. The vessel intends to depart Inchgreen shortly to carry out sea trials. If these are successful, the vessel will return to service on Ardrossan-Brodick tomorrow. We will confirm the outcome of trials later this evening.
Finally, MV Isle of Arran remains off service due to a fault with her fire suppression system. A fault has been identified, and spare parts are on their way to the vessel at Oban. They will arrive onboard this evening and will be installed by the crew. We will provide an update as soon as we can, but it may be that sailings on Friday morning will be cancelled, the vessel may be able to resume service at some point tomorrow subject to these parts rectifying the issue and weather being suitable.
Considering all the above, from tomorrow we hope that:
- Arran’s two-vessel service will be reinstated with both MV Glen Sannox and MV Caledonian Isles operating.
- Subject to the installation of parts, MV Isle of Arran’s fire suppression system is repaired. This will allow the vessel to return to service on Mull tomorrow, restoring the two-vessel service alongside MV Coruisk
- Unfortunately, Islay will remain a single-vessel service with MV Finlaggan over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be constraints on Friday but booking data indicates that the single-vessel service meets demand on Saturday and Sunday.
Though the position has improved since this morning, I appreciate we still have significant service challenges to overcome, and that several islands continue to have a reduced service. We’re heading in the right direction after today and will continue to keep you and your community informed.
Kind Regards