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Glen Sannox returns to Arran service as CalMac fleet struggles

PA Media A ferry, painted black and white, sailing across the water PA Media
The MV Glen Sannox only returned to service last week

CalMac has announced the troubled ferry MV Glen Sannox is returning to service on its Troon-Arran route.

The news comes hours after the operator announced the cancellation of MV Alfred sailings on the route due to a "crew issue". Glen Sannox will make the return journey twice on Wednesday afternoon.

Almost a third of CalMac's ferry fleet is out of action due to technical faults and annual repairs, with the firm's boss warning it is struggling to maintain services.

Duncan Mackison said they had been facing an "unprecedented scenario" which had now worsened.

MV Lord of the Isles was pulled from the Oban-Barra route on Tuesday after experiencing an engine problem. Five major vessels and four smaller ones are now currently unable to sail, causing widespread disruption to west coast routes.

Mackison said: "Almost a third of our entire fleet is unavailable for service, creating a set of circumstances where significant disruption on multiple routes served by major and small vessels is unavoidable.

"Though the situation appeared to be stabilising, emergent issues across major and small vessels means the unprecedented scenario we find ourselves in has worsened.

"Everyone at CalMac is acutely aware of the level of disruption many islands on our network have faced recently, and I apologise for that."

The chartered catamaran MV Alfred was expected back from overhaul on Wednesday and was meant to restore the Troon service.

CalMac announced on Wednesday morning that the ship could not sail because of a crewing issue.

The Arran route had already been affected after a series of faults hit the MV Glen Sannox following its return from an extended annual overhaul in March.

It returned to service last week after a repair to its exhaust system but was withdrawn again on Monday due to a problem with a fuel pump.

Now that Glen Sannox is back in service, CalMac plans to send Alfred to the Islay route, allowing the new ferry MV Isle of Islay to be redeployed to restore sailings to Barra.

Christopher Brindle A black and white ship with red funnels. Caledonian MacBrayne is written on the side. There are blue skies and clouds in the backgroundChristopher Brindle
MV Lord of the Isles has been forced out of action for the second time in just over a week

MV Lord of the Isles only returned at the weekend after problems with its main engine put it out of action last week, and was to be used for Barra sailings.

However an "ongoing technical issue" with the ship's starboard main engine means an amended timetable - using the MV Isle of Mull - will run through to the end of Wednesday.

CalMac's west of Scotland network has been under sustained pressure in recent weeks, with many ferries under maintenance and others facing unplanned repairs.

The state-owned operator last month said it was facing a "critical" situation due to a shortage of vessels due to technical faults and planned maintenance.

CalMac has been forced to reposition multiple vessels on its island routes and said plans were "under constant review".

Which CalMac vessels are unavailable?

MAJOR VESSELS

  • MV Lord of the Isles - Unable to sail due to issue with starboard main engine "holding down" arrangement and has been relocated to the Clyde for repairs.
  • MV Isle of Arran - CalMac has struggled to source a second replacement coupling for the bow thruster due to the vessel's age and "unique components". New parts may have to be manufactured.
  • MV Isle of Lewis - Major steelwork corrosion identified during annual maintenance and not expected to return until the end of May.
  • MV Hebrides - Remains in planned annual overhaul and is scheduled to return to service on 18 April.
  • MV Alfred - Annual overhaul completed and vessel now being repositioned to provide extra capacity for Islay, while MV Isle of Islay is redeployed to the Barra route from Thursday.

SMALL VESSELS

  • MV Loch Bhrusda - Vessel being sent to Mallaig for repairs after issue with forward main engine which are expected to be completed on Saturday.
  • MV Loch Linnhe - Due to arrive at Ardmaleish yard for repairs to oil leak on Tuesday, with work due to be completed on Thursday.
  • MV Loch Portain - Planned annual overhaul and not due to return until 12 May.
  • MV Loch Frisa - Annual overhaul completed but not due to return to service until 13 April due to planned additional work and checks.