Summer 2024 Arran ferries Isle of Arran, maintaining the link with Ardrossan, and Alfred, serving the island from Troon, meet off Brodick on 16 August
The latest edition of Scottish Ferry News covers all known movements by members of the CalMac fleet in July and August 2024.
Scottish Ferry News is available here. Like previous editions, it is available only to paid-up CRSC members.
If you wish to read this authoritative update on Clyde and West Highland ferry movements, and have not yet joined CRSC (introductory membership for the first year with full benefits: £15), click here.
Scottish Ferry News is an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and professionals who wish to track where vessels have been, what overhauls took place and which routes were affected by weather disruptions and vessel substitutions.
We are grateful to John Newth, compiler of Scottish Ferry News, for monitoring the complexities of CalMac ship movements.
One of the most significant developments recorded in this unusually jam-packed summer edition of Scottish Ferry News was the change in delivery date for the first of the four new ferries being built in Turkey. On 8 August it was announced that Isle of Islay, previously due to reach Scotland in mid October, would be expected ‘towards the end of the year’, with the reason for the delay being given as the knock-on effect of global supply chain problems.
The other remarkable feature of the two-month period under review was the number of vessels chartered to cover fleet shortages/breakdowns — no fewer than 10.
A surprise relief leaves Portavadie for Tarbert during mid-August; the ex-RMAS tender Menai was chartered to ferry passengers across Loch Fyne
With Isle of Cumbrae remaining off service at Tarbert, an emergency charter was arranged using Kintyre Express 6 for the short crossing to Portavadie
These included charters of Coastal Connection RIBs for Wednesday Oban-Colonsay sailings, and the use of Leslie Anne (owned by Ferguson Transport, Spean Bridge) as back-up at Tobermory and Kerrera.
The former RMAS fleet tender Menai made a surprise appearance on the Tarbert-Portavadie service after schools resumed in August, with cover continuing in the last week of the month provided by the Campbeltown-based Kintyre Express 6.
Making her maiden call at Colintraive to test her ramps after extensive repairs at Troon, Loch Shira is seen with Loch Dunvegan on Sunday 4 August
On 6 August Lord of the Isles suffered an engine room fire shortly after leaving Mallaig for Lochboisdale. After berthing at Armadale, she left on the 8th with a tug escort for repairs at Greenock. While she was out of service (till 24 August), Isle of Mull provided temporary cover between Oban and Lochboisdale.
Former Mallaig fleetmates Loch Fyne and Lord of the Isles undergoing repairs at Greenock
The above details are just a sample. There is a lot of fascinating information in Scottish Ferry News, clearly and precisely laid out — all of it awaiting your inspection and dissection.
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Published on 08 October 2024