Caledonian MacBrayne celebrates formal opening of Small Isles terminals

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Caledonian MacBrayne celebrates formal opening of Small Isles terminals
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31 August 2004

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has added its congratulations to the communities of Eigg, Muck, Canna and Rum on the occasion of the formal opening of the new terminals at Muck, Rum and Eigg.
The islands are served by CalMac’s state of the art MV Lochnevis which was built by Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon, in 2000. The ship, which cost nearly £7million, and can carry 14 cars and 190 passengers with a service speed of 13 knots, entered service in November 2000. The ship now provides the islands with lifeline services through direct vehicular and passenger access from Mallaig.
The formal opening of the slipways in the Small Isles today (Tuesday, August 31), by Transport Minister Nicol Stephen MSP, marks a significant milestone in the history of the development of transport services to the islands of Muck, Rum, Eigg and Canna.
As there were no adequate landing facilities on the Small Isles, CalMac’s previous vessel on the Small Isles service, MV Lochmor, was met on each island by a small boat – a flit boat – and passengers were transferred at sea for onward travel to the islands. Light freight, only, could be carried. Specialist boats were required for heavier freight movements. Harbour Orders were also required for the various works and environmental considerations were also critical, given the wealth of wildlife in the area.
Dr Harold Mills, Chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, who is leading the CalMac party on the ceremonial visit, said: “The Company is delighted to have been part of the process of developing safe and reliable links to the communities of these islands. The design and provision of MV Lochnevis has enabled the Company to move forward with the islands and the linked communities of the west coast, based around the port of Mallaig. Having a modern ship of this kind obviously has implications for the supporting infrastructure and landing facilities. I am delighted that we have now reached this advanced stage of the development which presented major challenges in engineering and environmental terms.

The whole project is a fine example of inter-agency cooperation and I now look forward to growing the traffic on the various services we are providing, with our Route Manager working closely with all the communities concerned to ensure that our lifeline services meet the highest standards and that we can open up the area to its potential as a leading destination for wildlife interests.”
The next phase of the Small Isles project, currently underway, involves the construction of a new terminal at Inverie, which is on the KnoydartPeninsula. Phase four will see an upgrade of the terminal at Canna.
The overall project, which included the ferry, has a total cost in excess of £30 million, with major funding being provided by the Scottish Executive and the European Regional Development Fund.
Ends

Background note: MV LOCHNEVIS
The Small Isles of Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna are served from Mallaig. Only Canna possesses a pier; at the others passengers, cargo and livestock had until recently to be taken ashore by flitboat. Since July 1979, the ship on the station had been the Lochmor, a trim little craft which could carry two cars on her open main deck aft and had basic accommodation for 130 passengers. The announcement came in July 1998 that she was to be replaced. Extensive consultation was promised to find the best design and way of working for the proposed ship. With financial help from the EC, all the Small Isles were to be given appropriate slipways although in the interim period the new ship would have to load and unload in the time-honoured way. The ship, designed to take 200 passengers and 12 cars, had to be sufficiently adaptable to use not just these slipways but also the linkspan at Mallaig. Ailsa of Troon won the order and the Lochnevis was duly launched on 8 May 2000 and named by Transport Minister Sarah Boyack MSP. The electronic gadgetry in her engine room and navigating bridge, the spacious and well-appointed passenger accommodation for a vessel of her size and her huge stern ramp which her role demanded all made her quite a remarkable vessel. Her boat deck was open aft, behind her observation lounge, while on the ‘forecastle deck’ underneath was her cafeteria.

Because of the sophistication of her machinery and the fact that the yard closed soon after her launch date, fitting out took longer than anticipated and it was 20 November More>>>>3
before the Lochnevis entered service. When she did the Lochmor was sold. Because of her superior speed, 13 knots, her timetable had to be recast and morning departures from Mallaig could be at a more civilised hour.

The following summer, for the first time, day trips with adequate time ashore on each of the islands became possible. Private boats tendered at Muck and Rum but at Eigg CalMac provided the flitboat. The Ulva, last of the MacBrayne red boats which spent much of her life at Iona, was worn out and withdrawn, to be replaced by a new build from Corpach, the Laig Bay. After protracted delays, with one contractor going into receivership, the promised slipways at Rum, Eigg and Muck were eventually all in place by Easter 2004 and tendering ceased.

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Services, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

Issued: Monday, August 30, 2004 : 1600

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Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited (SC302282)