Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed alterations to the Mallaig to Armadale service to sustain the timetable whilst MV Coruisk is out of service.

CalMac has confirmed that MV Coruisk suffered some damage on Sunday evening when grounded while entering Mallaig harbour. Arrangements are now being put in place to have the ship repaired. It is not yet clear how long that will take.

Meantime, a number of ship movements have been scheduled to redeploy elements of the fleet to maintain the Mallaig service.

Peter Clark, Route Manager in Mallaig said: “We have put a temporary passenger service in place for Monday and Tuesday.  MV Loch Fyne, which can take 35 cars, will be moved from the Lochaline to Fishnish service and will take up the Mallaig to Armadale service from first thing on Wednesday morning.  This should enable us to maintain the service at the best level possible with the minimum of disruption throughout the network.”

Customers using the Tobermory to Kilchoan and Lochaline to Fishnish services are advised that these routes will be operating restricted timetables for the foreseeable future. Likewise the Mallaig to Armadale timetable will be modified until MV Coruisk returns.

Customers using all these services are advised to contact CalMac offices before travelling to establish the detail of the temporary timetables.

ends
For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne.  Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued:  Monday 25 August 2003   (1230 hours)