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Where was MV Argyle built?
The new ferry was built in Gdansk in Poland by the Remontowa Group following a competitive tendering process.
Why was she built?
There are two main reasons: primarily to provide a 21st century level of service; and to increase vehicle capacity on individual sailings, replacing one of the Streakers.
What can she carry/do in terms of speed?
The new ship will carry the equivalent of up to 60 cars and 450 passengers, and will sail at 13-14 knots. The ship is 72m long and 15.3 wide. She has luggage racks and designated dog areas outside. The ship will be able to carry the new 60-seater coaches and 48 tonne artics to a maximum height of 5.1m.
What kind of gangways/boarding arrangements will she have?
There are new purpose-built boarding bridges designed and built to allow direct access to the passenger lounge deck. She will be capable of side-loading (starboard aft) and Ro-Ro. Direct access to the passenger lounge for passengers at all states of the tide.
How does turnaround time compare with present vessels?
The new ship will slot into the existing timetable. As the crew become more familiar handling the new ship, we expect the crossing time to reduce to 30 minutes, allowing a turnaround time of 15 minutes. The new gangways will enable better passenger flow on and off the passenger deck.
Has the new ship got a lift?
Yes. In fact, MV Argyle has 2 lifts, one either side, to take passengers between the car deck and main passenger deck. Priority will be given to those with impaired mobility and requiring assistance. The lifts have designated car spaces near at hand.
What facilities does she have for disabled people and customers requiring assistance?
The ship’s design takes into account current DPTAC guidelines and includes as many facilities as possible to enable passengers to use it safely and comfortably. This includes a lift with direct access to the passenger lounge from the car deck. There is also a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. The intention is that foot passengers will enter the ship on the main passenger deck at most states of the tide.
Are the toilets near the lift?
There is a toilet on the car deck and other toilets are in the main passenger areas – male, female and disabled. This also includes baby changing facilities.
Will the car deck be “lined off” properly to enable drivers to open the doors of their vehicles once parked?
When vessels are introduced the lines are clearly painted but over time this wears away and time and weather do not always allow for repainting.The paint system on the new ferry is of superior quality and should last longer. There is an area designated for disabled customers.
What catering facilities are available?
Hot and cold drinks and a variety of snacks. Reading materials will also be on sale.
Does MV Argyle have stabilisers?
The new ferry has stabilisers and is propelled using an advanced version of Azimuthing Thrusters, enabling the ship-handlers to achieve high levels of manoeuvrability and control and this should make crossings more comfortable.
How similar are MV Bute and MV Argyle?
To all intents and purposes the two sister ships are identical apart from some minor details, such as reverse of seating on upper deck and 2 lifts on MV Argyle. The ship is kitted out to the highest standard and was built specifically for the Rothesay to Wemyss Bay route. MV Argyle will not sail outwith the Clyde.
Is the entire shore infrastructure in place to allow the new ship to start seamlessly?
End and side-loading will continue until the linkspan facility at Rothesay is available. On completion of the end loading linkspan at Rothesay the ship will be operated in Ro-Ro mode and be able to take up to 60 cars.
Can customers stay in their cars on passage on MV Argyle?
No. This is a marine safety requirement and only passengers with special dispensation such as ambulance-bound patients, with the approval of crew, can stay in vehicles. The working practices will be the same as MV Bute.
Have specific provisions been made for bicycles on the new vessel?
Yes. There are bicycle racks at both bow and stern.
What about specific safety features?
The new vessel can survive any two adjacent compartments being damaged due to flooding/grounding etc. The Streakers are only required to survive one compartment damage. In terms of customer safety and security, areas of the ship are covered by CCTV which is monitored continuously.
Where are the designated dog areas?
The areas are outside, towards the stern on Deck 4, with a seated, covered overhang. Support Dogs will be given free access to all areas of the vessel.
What is the background to the new ship’s name?
The new vessel will be called MV Argyle. The new MV Argyle will actually be the seventh ship on the Clyde to have the name. There has not been an “Argyle” plying on the Firth for over a hundred years: in the mid nineteenth century the spelling of the county changed to Argyll and this was the form subsequently used. The old spelling, however, is appropriate as the ship’s most promiment ancestor was a paddle steamer built in 1866 and sold by her original owner within a month to the Wemyss Bay Steam Boat Company. She actually was the successor to PS Bute of that concern and remained on the Wemyss Bay route, sailing to Rothesay and Millport, for almost quarter of a century. The first PS Argyle had been built only two years after the pioneer steamship Comet appeared on the river in 1812; the second was commissioned in 1815; the third and fourth had connections with Loch Fyne while the fifth was a cargo steamer sailing to the Outer Hebrides.
If you have any other questions you would like answered, please do not hesitate to contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head Of Communication and Customer Care, Calmac Ferries Ltd.; Tel: 01475 650 371; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk
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