This morning there were no ferries operating between Oban and Craignure. Now we have single-vessel service from the Coruisk.
It is increasingly likely that when the Loch Frisa returns from dry-dock, we may have a period of Loch Frisa and Coruisk running the service. We have written to CalMac, and asked them to insist that Argyll and Bute Council give the Coruisk priority access to the south berth of Craignure pier. This would allow the Coruisk to lay-up there overnight, and enable the Loch Frisa to operate additional sailings early and late. In the past, this has not been possible due to prior bookings by the cruise boat Lord of the Glens (and her sister ship), and the council’s insistence that bookings at our public ferry pier are ‘first come first served’. There are alternative places for these small cruise boats to lay-up overnight. We strongly believe that if CalMac need access to the south berth to operate lifeline ferry services, the council should prioritise them and ask other vessels to berth elsewhere. If you agree and want to support this call, please contact your local councillors.
Now, here’s the full text of the service update letter from CalMac –
Good afternoon,
Services remain constrained across the network and the situation has been further compounded by an issue with MV Lord of the Isles. The vessel has been taken off service due to reports the starboard main engine is misaligned. She is currently at Oban and due to the weather and the issue with her engine, she is not likely to be able to move off the berth at Oban until Monday. We’re putting support in place to help her move to a berth for repairs as soon as the weather improves to allow her to travel.
MV Isle of Arran has moved from Oban and is slow steaming to Troon for safe berthing and to allow us to free up berthing space keep services moving that go to and from Oban. Efforts are ongoing to source replacement couplings for those damaged on her bow thruster.
Due to weather conditions this weekend, many routes are disrupted, cancelled or at risk of both. Given the news on MV Lord of the Isles, we are urgently reviewing deployment options for early next week to ensure services are provided to all islands served by major vessels on our network.
By way of reminder, the following vessels are in annual overhaul:
- 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)
The following vessels are not in service due to technical issues:
| Vessel | Route | Issue | Timescales |
| MV Isle of Arran | Mull (Oban-Craignure) | Damaged couplings on bow thrusters | Out of service up to and including Tuesday 31 March |
| MV Glen Sannox | Arran (Troon-Brodick) | Exhaust bellows issue | Out of service up to and including Monday 30 March |
| MV Lord of the Isles | Coll, Tiree & Colonsay (had also been covering Oban-Craignure due to MV Isle of Arran issues) | Misalignment of starboard main engine | Unknown |
| MV Isle of Islay | Islay (Kennacraig-Port Askaig) | Power management system | Update on afternoon of Sunday 29 March |
This means eight vessels are out of service and services will continue to be impacted over the weekend and early next week. Our service updates feed will keep you posted on your community’s service. I apologise for the ongoing disruption and will be in touch with more information on vessel repairs, deployment and service impacts later this weekend.
Service as of 1pm on Saturday 28 March on affected routes
- Arran: MV Caledonian Isles operating on Ardrossan-Brodick, with MV Catriona on Lochranza-Claonaig. No Troon-Brodick service.
- Barra & South Uist: MV Isle of Mull is heading from Lochboisdale to Castlebay this afternoon, but will be weather-bound in Castlebay until at least Monday
- Coll, Tiree and Colonsay: cancelled on Sunday and Monday due to MV Lord of the Isles unavailability
- Islay: single-vessel service provided by MV Finlaggan
- Little Minch: MV Clansman amended timetable prioritising Lochmaddy (North Uist) over Tarbert (Harris) in place to provide extra capacity for South Uist, with customers on Harris asked to travel Ullapool-Stornoway where possible
- Mull: MV Coruisk operating a single-vessel service on Oban-Craignure, with MV Loch Riddon on Tobermory-Kilchoan and MV Loch Fyne on Tobermory-Kilchoan
Kind Regards