Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne confirmed this afternoon (Monday, July 8, 2002) that the Gourock to Dunoon service will revert to passenger only on a temporary basis from the first sailing on Tuesday morning (0620 from Gourock).

A temporary arrangement has been in place today with the company providing a vehicular service between Dunoon and Wemyss bay while damage to the ramp at Gourock is being assessed. This was caused earlier this morning by MV Pioneer while berthing at 0650.

Technical advice is currently being taken as to the extent of the damage and the likely time taken to repair the ramp. Meantime, the car ferry sailings between Dunoon and Wemyss Bay will continue until 1920 hours from Wemyss Bay tonight (Monday).

The Gourock to Dunoon service has been maintained today on a passenger only basis and will continue as that from tomorrow until further notice. CalMac Public Affairs Manager Hugh Dan MacLennan said: "We would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the re-scheduling of services. Provision of the vehicle service between Dunoon and Wemyss Bay has allowed our main commercial operators to carry on their business, and we have informed them that we will revert to the passenger only service between Gourock and Dunoon from tomorrow. This will mean that our additional peak sailings on that service will be restored from Tuesday morning.

Our technical advisers are currently assessing the damage to the ramp at Gourock and we will be in a better position to make an assessment of the likely timescale for repairs from tomorrow. Meantime, we would encourage customers to check their travel arrangements before departing and we will obviously be making announcements about further changes as soon as the information becomes available."