Ferry operator CalMac has confirmed that MV Loch Alainn, which has until now been operating on the Largs-Cumbrae Slip service, is being deployed on the Sound of Barra from today. The ship is due to begin her new operation at 1545 from Barra this afternoon (Wednesday, July 4 2007).

MV Loch Alainn, which was built in 1998, will replace MV Loch Bhrùsda, which will now become one of the company’s spare vessels on the Clyde, available for relief.

The main benefit to customers on the Sound of Barra, which links Barra and Eriskay, is that MV Loch Alainn has a more efficient capacity, being able to carry large lorries and more cars at the same time.

Lawrie Sinclair, Managing Director of CalMac Ferries Ltd, said: “CalMac has been very pleased with the growth of traffic on the Sound of Barra since the service started under our care. The deployment of MV Loch Alainn on the route will enable us to make more effective use of the deck space as the ship does not have an overhang, which was restricting our maximisation of the space available. MV Loch Alainn can carry 24 cars and up to 150 passengers, which is in increase of 5 cars and 35 passengers. I am very sure that MV Loch Alainn will continue in the success we have seen on the Sound of Barra and that she will serve the communities very well.”

MV Loch Alainn is 41 metres long and 396GT. Her predecessor, MV Loch Bhrùsda, was built in 1996 and is 30 m long; 246GT.

Ends.

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

CalMac and Caledonian MacBrayne are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited. Issued: Wednesday, July 4, 2007