CalMac to introduce additional sailings to Arran

Graphic version of this page | Change how these pages look

CalMac to introduce additional sailings to Arran
Back

01 June 2006

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that the company will be deploying MV Saturn on the Ardrossan-Brodick service this summer, as planned. The ship will begin service on Monday, June 19 and will operate for 10 weeks until August 24, 2006.
MV Saturn will also be held available on standby next Friday (June 9, 2006) to assist with traffic on the Ardrossan to Brodick route when the Microsoft UK challenge is being held on Arran. MV Saturn will be used as and when necessary to ease traffic flow to and from the island.

The news was confirmed at a meeting between Arran’s Ferry Committee and senior officials of CalMac on Arran last night (Wednesday, May 31) when the timetable for the additional sailings was published. CalMac Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “I am delighted that we are once again in a position to deploy MV Saturn on the Arran service. I know that the additional capacity brought to the route during the summer months last year was greatly appreciated. However, it will simply not be possible in future years to supplement the normal service by deploying a streaker such as MV Saturn. The reason for this is that one of CalMac's three streakers will be surplus to requirements once MV Argyle joins MV Bute on the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route next spring. CalMac is still considering whether other measures may be possible to ease peak season capacity pressures in 2007and beyond.”
The Arran Ferry Committee has welcomed CalMac’s confirmation that the additional summer sailings will take place in 2006. Ken Thorburn, Chairman of the Ferry Committee said: “The Ferry Committee welcomes the news that MV Saturn is again being deployed this summer. Clearly, if a second ship cannot be deployed in 2007 and beyond it is incumbent on the Ferry Committee and CalMac to find an alternative solution to the peak season capacity pressures. We will obviously work together to produce the best possible solutions.”
Mr. Sinclair has meanwhile also confirmed that CalMac is to provide additional information to the Scottish Executive regarding ways in which capacity issues could be addressed on the Ardrossan/Brodick route in time for inclusion in the final tender specification for Clyde and Hebrides services, which is due to be published shortly.
ends

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

Issued: Thursday, June 1, 2006 : 0930

Home
| Privacy Policy | Website Credits | Disclaimer |

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