At our regular committee meeting last night, MIFC were updated by local CalMac staff on likely vessel movements and changes coming soon.
- MV Lord of the Isles has been cleared to re-enter service, and will be leaving the Clyde today.
- MV Glen Sannox is back in action on the Brodick – Troon route
- The only vessel that is still broken down unexpectedly is the Isle of Arran, with bow thruster issues (Although the Isle of Lewis remains in dry dock for unplanned replacement of decayed steelwork through to May)
- Whilst the precise detail of vessel deployment is likely to change, the intention of returning the Isle of Mull to operate between Craignure and Oban from next week is now looking more likely, not less.
- Unless there are further major breakdowns, it looks like Craignure – Oban will be restored to full 2-vessel service soon, and will remain so. Initially IOM / Coruisk, and then IOM / Frisa when she returns from annual service.
- And to top it off … there are new vending machines on the Loch Frisa! They are contactless (no cash needed), and include snacks as well as drinks. Loch Frisa is due back from dry dock on April 9th.
Throughout the recent disruption we have been passing on to CalMac reports that we have been sent. Such as the often confusing messaging and presentation on the online ticketing system and in emails. CalMac’s practice of removing all sailings from e-booking whilst bookings are moved is particularly frustrating. CalMac assure us they are working on improvements.
If you have particular problems or experiences that concern you, please do always pass them on to us. You can message via Facebook, or email us. The more evidence we have of issues that need to be addressed, the more likely we can get something done about it.
Finally, a big thanks and appreciation to all the front-line staff that have been working through this, and to management who have been honest and communicative. In many ways CalMac are victims too. The most bizarre aspect of our dysfunctional ferry system is that the ferry operator are not responsible for deciding when to replace ships, and have much less influence than they should on what they are replaced with. It’s CMAL and Scottish Government (via Transport Scotland) that make those decisions.