Full text of message from CalMac below. Quite what the outcome will be for Mull is uncertain at the moment. We’ve had Coruisk-only service today, and it now looks almost certain that will continue further –
Unfortunately, our position has worsened from last week and we now have almost one third of our fleet out of service or operating with an issue.
This is having an unavoidable impact on every part of our network, with six major and four small vessels unavailable, and one small vessel operating single-ended due to the need for a ramp repair.
We had intended to provide an update on services today, but following the issues that have emerged in recent days we are working this afternoon and tonight to urgently review services from Thursday onwards.
The outcome of that review and next steps will be shared with all communities tomorrow.
Given the scale of disruption, which I apologise for, we want to give those who rely on our services a full and frank picture of the different issues with vessels. Below I have included a summary of each of the vessels we currently have off service/managing issues.
MV Glen Sannox
MV Glen Sannox has been out of service with a fuel leak in the port main engine space. Investigations into the root cause of this are ongoing, and any successful return to service will be subject to this being resolved and further sea trials.
MV Lord of the Isles
MV Lord of the Isles was set to return to service but crew identified an issue with the starboard main engine. The vessel will now have to relocate to the Clyde for investigation into the root cause and repairs. We can only confirm her return to service when we begin the repair and get a fuller picture of the scope of work required, though we anticipate it could take up to a week from when the vessel arrives at a repair berth on Thursday this week.
MV Isle of Arran
Efforts to source two replacement couplings for the bow thruster have been ongoing for approximately two weeks. We sourced one in Europe, but due to the vessel’s age and the coupling being unique to the component, we’ve struggled to source a second. At the same time we’ve been discussing the manufacture of a new coupling instead and waiting on timelines from a supplier to do this. The supplier was closed for Easter and we’re working with them urgently to get confirmation of that timeline.
MV Isle of Lewis
MV Isle of Lewis was scheduled to complete annual overhaul over a month ago and be back in service on 4 March. Due to the need for steelwork, she’s not expected to return to service on Barra until the end of May.
MV Hebrides
MV Hebrides remains in planned annual overhaul and is scheduled to return to service on Saturday 18 April on the Little Minch.
MV Alfred
MV Alfred has completed annual overhaul and is transiting to the Clyde, where she’ll arrive late tonight. A further update on her return to service will be provided tomorrow.
Small vessels
MV Loch Bhrusda
MV Loch Bhrusda reported an issue with her forward main engine and will transit to Mallaig for repairs. Repairs are expected to complete on Saturday 11 April and the vessel will return to service that day, or on Sunday 12 April.
MV Loch Linnhe
MV Loch Linnhe reported an oil leak and is due to arrive at Ardmaleish yard for repairs this afternoon. These are scheduled to take 48 hours, and then the vessel will undock and transit to return to service.
MV Loch Portain
MV Loch Portain is in planned annual overhaul and not due back in service until Tuesday 12 May.
MV Loch Frisa
MV Loch Frisa is undocking this afternoon following completion of her annual overhaul but is not due back on Oban-Craignure on Monday 13 April. This is due to further works and checks required following overhaul.