Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that there will be no 1530 sailing from Kennacraig to Islay this afternoon due to the withdrawal from service of MV Hebridean Isles.

The next sailing to Islay will be on Friday evening at 1800 from Kennacraig and until further notice, the service will be provided by MV Isle of Arran following the regular “shoulder” timetable. The additional services which are being provided from May 23 until September 29 are withdrawn until further notice.

Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, said: “MV Hebridean Isles has been withdrawn from service for investigation and possible repair of damage sustained yesterday afternoon (Thursday) at Port Ellen. Divers have been examining the damage which we understand is confined to the propeller and rudder of the ship. MV Hebridean Isles will be taken to dock on the Clyde where she will arrive on Saturday morning for further investigation and repairs as necessary. We will resume the extended summer table as soon as is practicable and have meantime been contacting all passengers who were due to travel this afternoon.”

MV Isle of Arran continues with the service from the 1250 Departure from Kennacraig, arriving in Port Askaig at 1450. She departs Port Askaig at 1530 and will arrive at Kennacraig at 1730, departing then for Islay at 1800.

Caledonian MacBrayne apologises to customers for the inconvenience and is making every effort to have the disruption to the Islay service resolved as quickly as possible.

Meantime, an investigation is under way to determine how the damage was sustained. There was no disruption to passengers at the time and the normal reporting of such eventualities has been followed.

Updates on the situation will be provided on the Caledonian MacBrayne web-site www.calmac.co.uk and through the usual channels.