Delay in return to service of MV Caledonian Isles
Emergent work on one of Arran's main vessels has meant that her time off service in annual maintenance must be extended.
Routine inspections of MV Caledonian Isles have revealed extra work needs to be completed to the engine before the vessel returns to the Ardrossan-Brodick service. Additional steel work also must be replaced.
MV Caledonian Isles is currently in overhaul in Greenock and was initially targeted to leave on 3 February; however, this additional work is estimated to cause a delay to this while parts, additional service engineers and further inspections are sourced and resolved.
Our staff are working hard to provide a more precise return to service date - however, the current estimate we have been given for the return of the vessel is three to five weeks. Further information on the return date will be provided once it becomes available. Our initial deployment plans to cover this situation will be in operation until 16 February and will be updated for the period beyond that date as soon as possible.
This will be reviewed and amended on an ongoing basis and we will keep customers and stakeholders updated as works progress.
The main Arran service is currently being covered by MV Isle of Arran, supported by MV Hebridean Isles operating freight service Troon-Brodick.
Robbie Drummond, Chief Executive of CalMac, said: "We apologise for the impact this will have on the Arran community, we know how disappointing it will be for customers who were expecting normal service to resume next week.
"I visited MV Caledonian Isles in dock this week and can assure customers that extensive work is being carried out to ensure her safe return to service. I would like to thank our teams who are working hard to find solutions and provide the best service possible during this period.
"In the meantime, CalMac's port and customer service teams will continue to manage traffic on Brodick-Ardrossan and Lochranza-Claonaig, while the freight service between Troon and Brodick will continue to operate."
Notes to Editors: MV Arrow remains in Stornoway as a charter to support services during the current closure of Uig harbour.
The engine issues relate to a damaged turbocharger rotor on one engine and damage to the main bearings and crankshaft journals on both engines.
The additional steelwork: there was already a large amount of steelwork that was known to need replacement, which was planned for, and this repair work was completed as planned in the overhaul. During routine steelwork inspections a large amount of additional steelwork was identified as corroded and needing replacement.