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CalMac ferry back in action after five-week repair

Getty Images A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry sailing at sea under a grey sky, with passengers visible on deck and the ship’s name and Isle of Arran marked on the bow.Getty Images
The MV Isle of Arran was withdrawn from service in March

The CalMac ferry MV Isle of Arran is set to return to service after being out of action for five weeks.

The ferry will resume service on the route between Oban and Craignure where it is filling in for the MV Isle of Mull which has been redeployed.

MV Isle of Arran was removed from service on 25 March. It needed repair work to part of a bow thruster, which helps it manoeuvre in and out of port. Due to the ferry's age, a new part had to be specially made for it.

Three CalMac ferries, which serve major routes, remain out of action through repair and maintenance.

A CalMac spokeswoman said: "MV Isle of Arran's return benefits two routes, as it allows us to increase capacity on Mull and get MV Coruisk back to Mallaig-Armadale."

MV Isle of Arran was removed from service on 25 March. At 42-years-old it is one of CalMac's oldest ferries.

Last month, 10 vessels from the 32-strong west of Scotland ferry fleet were out of action due to technical faults, annual overhauls or crewing issues.

The operator's chief executive, Duncan Mackison, said the firm was facing an "unprecedented scenario" which had worsened, and he apologised for the effect this was having on communities.

Large ferries, the MV Hebrides and MV Isle of Lewis are still being repaired, while some smaller ferries also remain out of service.