New CalMac ferry in dramatic sea off Morocco rescue during maiden delivery voyage

Crew on CalMac’s newest ferry have performed a sea rescue off the coast of Morocco while on its maiden delivery voyage to Scotland.

The MV Isle of Islay, destined to serve Islay and Jura, began its journey from a Turkish shipyard on Thursday, January 22, and had departed Gibraltar last week after being forced to leave its berth due to dangerous weather.

While sailing in Moroccan waters, crew members identified a casualty in the sea and launched the ship’s fast rescue craft.

The MV Isle of Islay’s fast rescue craft was launched. CalMac

The man was recovered within minutes and brought safely on board.

He was cared for by the crew for several days before being handed over to Moroccan authorities.

CalMac’s fleet management director, Louis de Wolff, said the rescue highlighted the crew’s training and professionalism ahead of local operational trials in Scotland.

“CalMac crews are well trained to act quickly in emergency situations at sea, often supporting the coastguard in Scottish waters,” he said.

“While none of us expected MV Isle of Islay to be involved in a rescue so soon after delivery, the crew’s response ensured the individual was saved from extremely dangerous conditions.”

Moroccan authorities collected the patient from MV Isle of Islay Supplied

The rescue took place amid severe weather, with winds exceeding 30 knots and gusts of more than 50 knots recorded in the area over several days.

Following the incident, the vessel sheltered off Morocco’s east coast before berthing at Almería in southern Spain over the weekend.

MV Isle of Islay is expected to remain in Almería until later this week, when improved weather conditions should allow her to sail to A Coruña in northern Spain.

From there, she is due to cross the Bay of Biscay and continue to UK waters, subject to suitable weather conditions.

Mr de Wolff said the winter delivery voyage had been challenging due to storms affecting the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.

“We’re bringing the vessel home in winter, when sea and weather conditions in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, where we’ll be headed next, are at their most treacherous”, he said.

“This has been compounded by a series of storms hitting the Iberian peninsula over the last two weeks.

“The crew continue to do a first-class job in bringing her closer to Scotland and we will confirm arrival details nearer the time.”