Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed a small change to services to and from the Island of Bute to enable inspection work to be completed on a vessel currently operating in the area.

CalMac's MV Juno will be withdrawn from service on the Wemyss Bay/Rothesay route on Saturday, 24 February 2007. This is to allow the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) to conduct a routine inspection of the ship. Successful completion of the inspection will allow CalMac ferries to extend the vessel’s Passenger Certificate for another two months, enabling her to cover the period of time taken to complete Argyll and Bute Council’s pier works at Rothesay.

The planned interruption of the two-vessel service will be as follows. MV Juno will be taken off service on completion of her last scheduled sailing on Friday 23 February.

On Saturday 24 February, a single vessel service will operate from the 0800 sailing from Rothesay.

CalMac's Operations Director Phil Preston said: "CalMac apologises for any inconvenience caused by this interruption to scheduled services. As we have explained at a recent meeting of the Community Council and Bute Ferry Users Group, this inspection is essential to enable us to continue with the two-vessel service we are currently operating with MVs Juno and Saturn while the works are being completed at Rothesay Pier. This is the best option available to us and will cause the least disruption to the service. We obviously hope that the work will be completed as quickly as possible to let MV Bute and MV Coruisk return to service. We will keep everyone informed of any changes to this if that is necessary. This is an interruption we would not have wished to introduce, but it is unfortunately inevitable in a project of this nature that there will be additional disruptions which cannot be foreseen."

CalMac will honour all Wemyss Bay/Rothesay tickets purchased for 24 February on its Rhubodach/Colintraive and Gourock/Dunoon services.

ends

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

Issued: Monday, February 12 2007 : 1600