Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has put contingency plans in pace at Stornoway harbour to allow potential difficulties with the electronic mechanism on their main gangway to be easily managed and repaired.

The procedures have been developed following recent difficulties as the harbour when a combination of storm damage and electric fault rendered the key operational facility which transfers passengers onto the MV Isle of Lewis inoperable for over three weeks. The damage to the gangway was so severe that local contractors could not be used to effect the repairs and the original makers in England had to go back to the drawing board.

Mary Anne Campbell, Route Manager based in Stornoway said: "What happened was an unfortunate combination of circumstances with one day’s severe weather and a major electrical fault the following day combining to make the gangway unusable. The weather conditions at the time were highly unusual and exceptionally severe for this time of year. The whole control box was out of action and this was the first time we had experienced this particular difficulty in eight years. The control box had to be rebuilt by the maker and we have now taken steps to have a duplicate spare on site and also to have local electricians at N D MacLeod’s trained in its maintenance and installation. This means that if we are ever faced with the same problem again we will be able to deal with it swiftly and with the minimum of disruption through our contingency plan. Meantime, I would like to thanks all our customers and staff for their understanding and patience while dealing with the inconvenience of having to use alternative boarding methods."

CalMac’s recent difficulties with the main Stornoway gangway was the first time in eight years that the facility was out of action for a major repair.