Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed the start of its new vessel overhaul season at the Port Bannatyne yard of the Ardmaleish Boatbuilding Company Ltd on the island of Bute.

The current project involves a major 24-vessel overhaul contract spread over three years. The first ship to be dry-docked this autumn as soon as the CalMac timetable changes to the winter schedule on October 21 is MV Loch Riddon, which will be the first of eight to be slipped at Ardmaleish this winter and next spring.

John Salton, CalMac Technical Manager said: “The continuity this order gives ourselves and the yard is mutually beneficial and enables the yard to proceed with planned investment. We are delighted to have at Ardmaleish a very strong operator bidding for our work in what is a very competitive and demanding area. The order, being spread over three years, gives ourselves and the yard continuity and stability and we are delighted to be in a position whereby we have been able to award this work to a yard, which is so near the centre of our operations. We have been tremendously impressed with the quality of work produced at Ardmaleish over the years and the commitment and flexibility of the workforce. The yard has plans for further investment and that is another great option for us when allocating work.”

Ardmaleish Managing Director Ewan Ferguson said: “Having work like this enables us to maintain our workforce at a level of between 20 and 25 people which is a substantial commitment for us and the island of Bute. We are also in a position where we can consider further investment such as a 650-ton winch and we are looking at further development of the slipway. The security and continuity of employment offered to us when we get work like this is invaluable and it gives us a very solid base going forward. We are delighted to be able to work with Caledonian MacBrayne in this way as the ferries are obviously a very important part of the infrastructure servicing not only this island but the whole of the west coast.”

Earlier this year CalMac’s 43m MV Loch Alainn (the Sound of Barra ferry), at 400 tons, became the biggest ship ever taken in the Ardmaleish yard for overhaul, confirming that the yard could now handle a significant part of the CalMac fleet. Pictured at the Ardmaleish Boatbuilding Company Ltd yard while work was being completed on MV Loch Alainn are Ardmaleish Managing Director Ewan Ferguson (third from left), John Salton (CalMac Technical manager) and Ian Fox, CalMac’s Regional Manager, Oban.

Ends.

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

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited.

Issued: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 : 1000.