| Caledonian MacBrayne completes Handover on Sound of Barra service | |
| 09 June 2003 Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne will tomorrow (Saturday) complete a hectic week of activity in the Western Isles when MV Loch Bhrusda takes over the Sound of Barra service, offering the islanders of Barra and Eriskay enhanced links with the rest of the islands. CalMac has operated the Sound of Barra service since taking it over from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar at the start of April and the route has already proved to be carrying increased traffic now that the capacity issues are being addressed and a larger ship provided. From Saturday morning at 0715, when Loch Bhrusda departs Barra for the first time, the islanders of Barra and Eriskay will be served by a ferry capable of carrying 18 cars, six more than the vessel which has been temporarily providing the service, MV Loch Linnhe. Since the introduction of the CalMac service at the beginning of April, five and a half thousand passengers and 2,000 vehicles, including commercials, have been carried, up to June 1. The arrival of MV Loch Bhrusda in Barra tonight (Friday), follows the successful introduction of CalMac’s latest addition to the fleet, the £5million MV Loch Portain, which took up service on the Sound of Harris on Thursday afternoon. Caledonian MacBrayne Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “This has been a hugely important week for us, managing the introduction of one new ship to the fleet and the start of a new era for transport on Barra and Eriskay with the introduction of Loch Bhrusda. She has served Harris and North Uist brilliantly and we can more or less say that we have introduced two new vessels in one week, which is unprecedented. MV Loch Bhrusda offers CalMac and the communities she serves huge opportunities in terms of carrying capacity. We will do everything we can to ensure that she is as successful here as she was on the Sound of Harris.” MV Loch Bhrusda will be welcomed to Barra by CalMac Technical Director Tom McNeill. Meanwhile, MV Loch Linnhe will return to her regular route of Tobermory-Kilchoan and it is expected that she will resume that service on Monday June 9. Background details: MV Loch Bhrusda: Length - 30m; Passengers - 150; Cars - 18 | |
Text Only Version | Site map | Print this Page
