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In 2019, the shipyard went back into administration and was nationalised after ministers rejected a last-ditch offer from Mr McColl to split the cost of completing the two ferries, claiming this would breach EU state aid rules. The next deck up has the forward observation lounge at the bow and crew accommodation. This has long been fact. The additional service was provided by MVSaturn from 2005 until 2011, and by MVIsle of Arran from 2012. The Caledonian MacBrayne vessel MV Isle of Mull leaves Oban, with the hills of the Mull in the background. "For others that can only do a once-weekly shop how can they when we have no supplies on the islands. Talent like Captains Gunn or Morrison of the Hebrides, or chief engineer MacLennan of the Caledonian Isles, is not readily found nor lightly bought. Our team, 70% of whom live and work locally, truly understand the impact of this disruption. Vessels are owned by the asset holding company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which is in turn wholly owned by the Scottish Government. "It is the milk and the dairy stuff that is the priority. In 1976 Western Ferries' fast catamaran, Highland Seabird, had to abandon up-river services to Glasgow from Clyde resorts; even on gentle Clyde, floating timber was a menace. When closed, the bow ramp seals the car deck and when open, forms the bridge between the ship and the linkspan. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. CalMac's main Arran ferry resumes sailings. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. "Our dedicated frontline staff will continue to work with local communities to understand and support their priorities. MVLoch Frisa is a former Norled ferry bought by Caledonian MacBrayne in 2021. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. tony bloom starlizard. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has pledged to look into the new evidence. [8] The new terminal has two ferry berths: the west side berth and the east side berth. [1] Now[when? It's untrue that Ailsa of Troon supplied most CalMac ferries - of the present operational fleet, Ferguson's of Port Glasgow constructed seven; Lamont's, six, Richard Dunstan (Hessle) four, and Ailsa only three. The documentary learned that last November union representatives told Finance Secretary Kate Forbes they had lost confidence in the senior management team. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Read about our approach to external linking. HP10 9TY. Jim McColl confirmed to BBC Disclosure that he first looked into buying Fergusons at least two months before it went bust. It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. Even then, blundering officials had to remove the documents after they forgot to redact her bank details, Frogmore eviction 'leaked' by Palace as political tactic insider claims. The truth is brutal. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment. The last sailing from the old Brodick pier was the 0820 to Ardrossan on Tuesday 20 March 2018. Ignoring all counsel from those who knew the Pentland Firth, Orkney Islands Council financed a short crossing from Gillis Bay, Caithness, to South Ronaldsay. Government-owned ferries agency CMAL defended the procurement and said an audit in 2018 found "no adverse issues". You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . The documents indicate that no other bidder was given a similar opportunity to revise its submission so significantly. Mr Peteranna of the Lochboisdale Ferry Business Impact Group said restrictions on purchase of milk and bread were understandable if people were panic buying because of the ferry issues. She has the capacity for 100 passengers. A SCOTS seafood firm could be forced to close with the loss of 100 jobs due to an unreliable and 'weather-shy' ferry service. Argyll Flyer was not available for the start of the passenger-only service due to prop shaft problems. We will continue to prioritise urgent deliveries and return the service to full timetable as quickly as we can.". Back in 2012, a ferries plan included a programme of vessel replacement. The government then appointed a "turnaround director", Tim Hair, who reported it would cost an extra 110m to finish the vessels. There are four vessels in the fleet which cannot be listed in the above categories. Kerevan does not include in his report quotes from CalMac's managers or officials. That came after there was an outcry when MV Hebridean Isles was sent from its normal Islay route to assist when the safety issues surfaced for a second time the previous week. The new ships will replace 37-year-old MV Hebridean Isles and allow the 11-year-old MV Finlaggan, to be redeployed. The Loch class are a group of smaller vessels with a single car deck, running the length of the ship, with a ramp at each end. "The Outer Hebrides is in real risk of being a destination visitors may avoid because of ferry unreliability, indeed we are seeing a drop in visitor numbers already.". In August 2015, it was announced that two new ferries would be built at Ferguson Marine Engineering at Port Glasgow on the Clyde. Read about our approach to external linking. Caledonian Isles serves the Isle of Arran on the Ardrossan to Brodick route. Read about our approach to external linking. Never miss the latest top headlines from the Scottish Daily Express. Passenger accommodation is down one or both sides of the ship. This has been rejected, although leasing the ship as a temporary measure remains a possibility. We are lucky at The Herald. 48 hour snow warning for Scotland as Met Office predicts an icy start to spring, Don't put your winter woollies away yet! Initially scheduled to return to service on 2nd February,[14] she experienced significant delays during overhaul due to additional steel work and engine repairs being required. A Norwegian ferry operator has taken delivery of a boat powered by liquid hydrogen - but this is still prototype technology. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have made a call to recall the Scottish Parliament for an emergency statement over the state of Scotlands ferries following the Heralds reporting of the latest crisis. Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error "They are all working hard to support our customers through this period - although disruptions are frustrating, please remember to treat them with respect. He said he had no knowledge of being given special treatment for the larger ferries but accepted that having CalMac's requirements document was an advantage. A few ships are knocking on a bit. The Scottish government's Transport Scotland agency has long known it needs to renew the CalMac fleet - but those ambitions have foundered, in part at least, due to the Ferguson ferry fiasco. MVHebrides, [citation needed] In February 2014, MVIsle of Arran once again relieved Caledonian Isles after she broke down. We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse. CalMac has warned of further disruption to its ferry services caused by a lack of backup vessels after three of its ten main ships are out of action till at least mid-March due to technical problems. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. The Jupiter, for instance, may have wooden decks, but she played no part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, nor was Vasco da Gama ever captain of her. A replacement programme for seven smaller vessels has begun, and is currently at the "concept design" phase. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. Dr Mills's appointment as chairman did attract fierce criticism - not least an unpleasant vendetta from the West Highland Free Press - but the commissioner for public appointments, who made full investigation, declared no impropriety had occurred. "You would think they can just put another ferry on but then they say they can't, just suck it up. has a calmac ferry ever sunk. The company leased the cruise boat MVClyde Clipper from Clyde Cruises to start the service, but she was out of service with engine problems for most of the first day.[13]. Readers comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. Travel company https://www.youtube.com/user/CalMacFerriesLtd These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. [18] Her design allows her to make the crossing in reverse when sea conditions allow.[18]. Nor does Kerevan tell us CalMac has been long forbidden freely to compete on the Dunoon route. Abby Coleman added: "This is getting ridiculous, having limited supplies in shops, being limited to one bottle of milk, which sadly is unrealistic for some. But those "green" claims are questionable - LNG is still a fossil fuel, and it has to be imported from Qatar before being driven hundreds of miles from Kent to Scotland. [5], Due to the demand for capacity, a second ferry has supplemented Caledonian Isles during the summer season since 2005. [1] The 2 larger lifeboats were replaced in 2017 to make way for the new marine evacuation system. The Marine and Coastguard Agency said it has begun a preliminary investigation into the lashings of the vehicles on board the ferry. CMAL's argument is that it needs to build long-lifespan "quality" ships, interchangeable between routes and capable of withstanding often harsh conditions. The company provides lifeline services to 23 islands off the west coast of Scotland, as well as operating routes in the Firth of Clyde. The cost to the public purse has risen to 2.5 times the original 97m budget - and the first ship won't be handed over to CalMac until the spring of 2023 at the earliest, nearly five years late. A 105m order for the next two big ships - for the Islay route - has now been signed with a Turkish shipyard and, if all goes to plan, they should be delivered in 2024/2025. Islanders from Arran to Islay have lodged complaints. In Denmark, fully-electric ferries are already sailing but only on relatively short routes. Forward of the main entrance square is the cafeteria, with stairways leading up to the observation lounge and the outside deck. "We have a senior manager from Scottish Water over visiting projects we are working on and struggling to believe this this kind of thing happens in this day and age," he said. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? And it insists it remains on the lookout for suitable second hand boats. "You cannot get more than one carton of milk in each shop. During Caledonian Isles' absence, she was relieved by Isle of Arran. "Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited announces Scottish shipbuilder as preferred tenderer for two large ferries contract", "Shortage Of Workers And Covid Disruption Delay Ferguson Ferries By A Further 15 Weeks", "Public invited to help name CMAL's first LNG ferry", "New 12m CalMac hybrid ferry launched at Ferguson yard", "CalMac takes over the tiller at Argyll Ferries", "New ferry purchased for CalMac Scottish Island Services", Shipsofcalmac.uk: Unofficial list of the past and current Caledonian MacBrayne fleet, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caledonian_MacBrayne_fleet&oldid=1126830855, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 December 2022, at 12:53. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. Even the newer ships have had breakdowns - CalMac's biggest ship MV Loch Seaforth, built in 2014, was out of action for weeks last year due to engine damage, with knock-on effects hitting many other services. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself. They were made redundant by the opening of the Skye Bridge and eventually found redeployment elsewhere. ", Mr Drummond responded: "We are prioritising food deliveries and weve shipped everything the local haulier has asked for. Four of the 10 largest ferries are beyond their expected operational life. Another islander Tullula Tia said: "It's shocking. Get the latest news from the Express straight to your inbox. As the third-largest vessel in the fleet, she brought new levels of capacity and passenger comfort to the routes. History. He sent in senior staff to examine business opportunities but felt there were too many issues that needed "tidying up" and waited until it fell into administration. Humza Yousaf takes the lead as SNP members swing behind Nicola Sturgeon's man, The 'worst health secretary in the history of devolution' is just ahead of his rivals in the SNP leadership contest, although a third of Nat members still don't know who to vote for, Ian Blackford 'looking forward' to end of police probe into SNP's 'murky' finances as he dodges Peter Murrell question. The fleet can be categorised into various groups. CalMac's ''monopoly must go'', declared the Wednesday editorial, and its routes would be ''best franchised in separate bundles''. Ship management accounting is complex, with costs and the intricacies of ship depreciation spread over CalMac operations as a whole. The original four Loch class vessels were based on MVIsle of Cumbrae. Absurdly, the paper demands ''modern ferry technology - including catamarans''. For god's sake do something will you, CalMac. "CalMac need to sort this out because soon enough it will force people to want to leave the islands which is not what the islands are wanting.". THE owner of Scotland's ferry fleet demanded a foreign firm pay up to 100,000 to gain UK maritime approval for a 9m vessel it was negotiating to buy to ease chaos on the network ending in the. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can "We understand how much our customers and communities we serve rely on ferry services, and how challenging this period is. Documents obtained by BBC Disclosure indicate that successful bidder Ferguson Marine Engineering benefited from preferential treatment. [16], MVArgyll Flyer (244 passengers) and the catamaran MVAli Cat (250 passengers) are passenger-only ferries used on the Gourock - Dunoon service. A spokeswoman for CalMac added: "A long-term strategy to replace vessels and improve port infrastructure would improve the capacity we can offer to meet demand and increase resilience. At 30.2m (99ft 1in) in length, they can carry 12 cars and 200 passengers. There was much controversy following the decision to award the shipbuilding contracts to yards outside Scotland. It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. [7], The former Clyde ferries, MVJupiter, MVJuno and MVSaturn had provided the Dunoon and Rothesay services for the best part of 35 years. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The following year his new firm, Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL), won a 97m contract to build two dual fuel LNG vessels for state-owned ferry operator CalMac. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? It came as islanders complained to CalMac about food shelves being bare as vital supplies were not reaching shops and evidence of panic buying. Duncan Hamilton says he has not spoken to Kerevan for at least three months. She is instead used mostly for goods and vital equipment for the islands. A Gannett Company. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. That is what Kerevan presents as hard news. But like the metaphor about the time it takes to turn a tanker around, the problems facing CalMac's fleet are going to take a long time to fix. More than seven years later those ships, Glen Sannox and the as yet un-named hull 802, are still under construction at the now-nationalised Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow. The average age of the CalMac ferries is almost 24 years and many of the large boats are even older. Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine faces being dissolved despite millions of taxpayer money being ploughed into it, Caledonian Sleeper to be nationalised as Scottish Government accused of throwing taxpayers' money away, Cap on Scottish council fatcat wage rises lifted despite council tax hikes and severe cuts, SNP civil war turns more toxic as leading Sturgeon loyalist blasts Ash Regan as 'looking like an opposition politician', Moaning CMAL blame media reports about ferry fiasco for poor reputation as 'amateur' shipbuilders, CalMac claim unbundling ferry routes would not bring value to taxpayer despite massive bill for new ferries, Scots island community demands change as ferry fiasco delays hit locals hard, Lawyer to investigate whether 97m Calmac ferry contracts were 'rigged', Islanders face ANOTHER ferry fiasco as MV Caledonian Isles and MV Clansman overhauls delayed, Met Police in London urged to investigate the SNP's Covid 'crime of the century', Campaigners believe longstanding failures in the Scottish healthcare regulation were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to up to 30,000 avoidable deaths and they won't stop until they get justice, Prince Harry feels 'stuck' with Meghan Markle in America as biographer claims he wants them to come home, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit the UK in 2020 but observers reckon the move has not worked out for them, Tax authorities 'destroyed' Rangers, former chairman Charles Green tells court, Green also spoke of his dislike for Craig Whyte, telling the court 'if we had a collection in this court we would have more money from that than Craig Whyte would ever have', Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell's joint bank account is key to resignation, says Private Eye, The outgoing SNP leader and her chief executive husband are urged to answer the question about whether or not they have a joint bank account, as the magazine says Operation Branchform was the 'game-changer' behind shock resignation, Nicola Sturgeon's tax returns reveal gold-plated 460k pension since she became First Minister, The Nats leader promised to publish her tax returns every year in 2016 and then promptly forgot all about it until today. The fantasy of El Cheapo Highland shipping operations was blown, surely, by the debacle of Orkney Ferries in 1989. Of the 10 largest ferries, four are more than 30 years old and the MV Isle of Arran is 39. MV Caledonian Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Eileanan Chaledonia) is one of the largest ships owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Something needs to change.". In February 2012, Caledonian Isles was in dry-dock to repair damage sustained in a collision with Winton Pier, Ardrossan. During the period of the summer timetable there is an additional sailing on Friday evenings, leaving Ardrossan at 2030, returning from Brodick at 2140. Hopelessly Kerevan exposes himself, like Lord Darlington's cynic, as one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. MVLord of the Isles is based in Mallaig and serves Armadale and South Uist. "People aren't stupid, they know that there is not ferry and there is usually a daily lorry with fresh stuff. The Aberdeen youth product is training with the under-21s after falling out-of-favour on Tyneside. "The shops have been bare. Yet it is false to say that ''not one of Caledonian MacBrayne's 29 vessels'' makes a profit. The Arran route, where the first ship was due to enter service in 2018, has faced more than 2,500 cancellations . It's getting worse every year and they are building only one new ferry. John Daniel Peteranna of the group, whose South Uist-based renewable energy company supplies wind turbines to make help make homes self-sufficient said: "It is just not sustainable. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. When deployed, these allow additional cars to be loaded. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Second-hand ferry deal to boost CalMac network, Plug-in and sail: Meet the electric ferry pioneers, Ferry deal collapses over CalMac use of catamaran, Arran ferry out of action following engine failure, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please She is a bow loading vessel of similar design to the Island Class vessels and can take twelve passengers and one car, although due to vehicle restrictions on Kerrera she rarely carries cars. FAQs. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. She was relieved by Isle of Arran which was often diverted to Wemyss Bay and Gourock. Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Most islands in the west of Scotland rely on services from state-owned CalMac, which operates 34 vessels - the largest fleet in the UK. [20][21] Following a naming competition, CMAL announced renaming as MV Loch Frisa.[22]. CMAL may have broken its own rules by allowing Ferguson to go ahead with its bid despite being unable to provide evidence of a builders refund guarantee, a mandatory financial safeguard, Ferguson obtained a 424-page document from a design consultant setting out CalMac's technical requirements, while other bidders had to rely on a more limited 125-page specification. [citation needed] During periods of adverse weather, it is not uncommon for the vessel to berth overnight at Brodick, with either cancellation of the 1920 service from Brodick, or a return to Brodick after the 1920 eastbound sailing. HP10 9TY. He said he was not aware of any interference by ministers or civil servants in the procurement process. [10] MVSaturn last served Dunoon on 29 June 2011, and was then scheduled to operate the summer relief on the Arran crossing. The boost in numbers is good news for the islands in many ways but locals often complain of trouble getting a booking. The present MV Clansman is the fifth vessel to carry the name in the CalMac fleet over the years. The car deck incorporates a set of mezzanine decks, one down each side of the central casing and each divided into three sections. The upper deck has the bridge and outside seating from the huge red funnel towards the stern. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. Now and again we're reminded. CMAL has previously said that Ferguson was named preferred bidder because it produced the most detailed concept design, outscoring other shipyards on quality even though it was the most expensive. contact the editor here. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. It follows the Scottish Government's transport minister Jenny Gilruth warning it will be financially challenging" to fix Scotland's ferry shortage by the end of the decade. Some island communities have suggested they would be better served by a greater number of smaller vessels, and that shore-based crews could boost their economies. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. 'For god's sake do something': Food rationing fury as islanders blame CalMac ferry cancellations. CalMac have insisted that all food was being shipped and said it was not fair to say that any shortages were the direct result of the ferry issues. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. It complained about the lack a CalMac plan for food deliveries for hotels and shops. CalMac is ''renowned for its high prices, uncomfortable boats, and disregard for customers . MVCaledonian Isles has the highest passenger capacity and can carry 1000 people on the Ardrossan to Brodick, Arran crossing. Catalog; For You; Scottish Daily Mail. She said Glen Sannox, for the main Arran route . MVCaledonian Isles, CalMac, the state-owned ferry company, has decided motorhomes, camper vans and caravans will only be allowed on their services if they have a confirmed reservation, in a bid to placate. As it is one of CalMac's busiest routes, Caledonian Isles has the . So I buy plenty milk in to last me. MVLoch Portain, MVLoch Buie and MVLoch Shira also have a lounge above the car deck. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. One design was eliminated because it was considered overpowered. This is all the more puzzling as Dalton interviewed, at length, Lawrie Sinclair only on August 14. There is no standard over 60s ticket, but there are concessions available for islanders in certain areas. CalMac, apparently, runs a ''lucrative monopoly'', threatened by ''up to a dozen rivals who are expected to bid for the state-owned company's network'', according to a ''leading maritime expert'', Professor Neil Kay of Strathclyde University. Ministers are also currently considering Project Neptune - a review by consultants looking at the roles of Transport Scotland, CalMac and CMAL - to try to make the system work better. Even more troubling is what one can ascertain of the journalistic background. A new ferries plan is being promised by the Scottish government by the end of this year. in the server error log. Repairs were carried out on the MV Caledonian Isles after an engine failure, The Glen Sannox's construction at Ferguson's shipyard has been troubled, An impression of one of new ferries being built for the Islay route, Privately-run Pentland Ferries has successfully used catamarans to and from Orkney for years, In Denmark, fully-electric ferries are already sailing but only on relatively short routes, Islands like Iona are seeing visitor numbers pick up again, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims.