‘Impossible to say’ how long MV Caledonian Isles will remain out of action, says CalMac

It is “impossible to say” how long a ferry serving one of Scotland’s busiest island routes will continue to be out of action, the operator has said.

The MV Caledonian Isles usually operates on the route between Ardrossan in North Ayrshire and Brodick on the Isle of Arran, but it has been out of service since January last year.

It had been due to return to the route in recent weeks, but issues with its gearbox have forced consistent delays.

On Thursday, CalMac announced the ship would return to dry dock for work on a pressure issue with its propulsion system.

Chief executive Duncan Mackison said the inspection will take a few days, and the length of time the ship will continue to be out of action will not be known until that is completed.

“Everyone at CalMac is disappointed that MV Caledonian Isles isn’t ready to carry passengers yet, and I know that disappointment will be shared by communities across our network and by those who travel to and from Arran regularly,” he said.

“Once the vessel is in drydock, the inspection will take a few days. Until then, it is impossible to say how long any repair might take.

“But there is a range of possible scenarios going from the issue being resolved in a few days to it taking significantly longer.

“To give communities and customers certainty, we’re removing MV Caledonian Isles from deployment plans for now and will provide a detailed update on any service impact early next week.”

When it returns to service, the Caledonian Isles will run from Ardrossan, the only ferry in the vicinity able to do so given the long-awaited MV Glen Sannox and its yet-to-be-delivered sister ship are too big to dock at the port, meaning passengers have to board at Troon, South Ayrshire.

The Scottish Government is investigating potentially buying the port at Ardrossan to make the necessary changes to allow both newer vessels to berth there, but talks are reported to have stalled.

Scottish Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said the latest news will have “Arran residents tearing their hair out in despair”.

“It beggars belief that there is still no return date for a ferry which has been out of service since January last year,” she said.

“The makeshift CalMac fleet is hanging together by a thread – and the blame for this lies squarely with the SNP and their abject failure to build the new ferries that betrayed islanders were promised years ago.

“CalMac and island communities have been left crossing their fingers that no other aging and decrepit vessels break down in the meantime.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “CalMac has informed us that while carrying out sea trials for MV Caledonian Isles, further work has been identified relating to pressure levels in the propulsion system. Further information is expected in the coming days.

“In the interim, a two-vessel service will continue to operate between Arran and the mainland, via Troon. This two-vessel service will be delivered by MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred.

“MV Alfred, which is currently chartered from Pentland Ferries, will be retained by CalMac until the end of October.

“This will continue to provide improved resilience across the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.”