Calmac / Northlink Ferry discussion

[BayPaul]

Has the two boat service started early on the Largs - Cumbrae route this year?

The summer timetable started in March but doesn't look to have the usual peak/off peak service difference that previous years had...

I was there in March and there was a two boat service running.

I understand that someone has decided that passengers and vehicles should not board together, so the 15 minute frequency has dropped to 20 minutes. It seems to be utterly ridiculous, especially on Loch Shira where there's already a physical barrier separating the flows.

 

[AndrewE]

CalMac ferry back in action after five-week repair

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

www.bbc.co.uk

CalMac ferry back in action after five-week repair​

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."

 

[Transilien]

With all the chaos surrounding the lack of ferries recently, I wonder why CalMac decided to withdraw MV Hebridean Isles.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

With all the chaos surrounding the lack of ferries recently, I wonder why CalMac decided to withdraw MV Hebridean Isles.

It was beyond economical repair and needed a lot of work

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

I was there in March and there was a two boat service running.

I understand that someone has decided that passengers and vehicles should not board together, so the 15 minute frequency has dropped to 20 minutes. It seems to be utterly ridiculous, especially on Loch Shira where there's already a physical barrier separating the flows.

The reasoning is there has been a number of near misses and tbh having used the service for a number of years I have had a few heart in mouth moments

 

[Cloud Strife]

It was beyond economical repair and needed a lot of work

Strictly speaking, she wasn't beyond repair. The issue was mostly that she was coming up to her 5 year class renewal, and the fleet renewal plan meant that there was little point in spending the money needed when they only had to get through this year.

In hindsight, it was a bad decision, but a rational one.

 

[Southsider]

Things seem to be improving with Hebrides and Isle of Lewis leaving Aberdeen and returning to service. Isle of Lewis is going to provide additional sailings to Stornoway and cover to allow repairs to Loch Seaforth to be carried out. Finlaggan will also return from annual maintenance this weekend.

 

[Albaman]

Thanks to " Southsider " for the up-date posted yesterday. I notice on the Caledonian MacBrayne website that the timetable valid to 18 October 2026 for the Troon- Brodick service , shows this service to be operated by MV " Alfred ". Does anyone know where " Glen Sannox " will be utilised this summer ?

 

[43055]

Thanks to " Southsider " for the up-date posted yesterday. I notice on the Caledonian MacBrayne website that the timetable valid to 18 October 2026 for the Troon- Brodick service , shows this service to be operated by MV " Alfred ". Does anyone know where " Glen Sannox " will be utilised this summer ?

No idea but she seems more settled on the longer Barra run.

 

[BayPaul]

Thanks to " Southsider " for the up-date posted yesterday. I notice on the Caledonian MacBrayne website that the timetable valid to 18 October 2026 for the Troon- Brodick service , shows this service to be operated by MV " Alfred ". Does anyone know where " Glen Sannox " will be utilised this summer ?

From an update on the ferry forums site

Various updates from Community groups :

Alfred and Caledonian Isles will cover Arran between them for the duration of the summer timetable. Alfred charter extended to cover this.

Finlaggan is delayed by a couple.of days leaving dry dock. Due back Wed 20th. With Feis Ile approaching, Camac have said if Finlaggan doesn't return, Glen Sannox will be dispatched to Islay, with Isle of Arran and Isle of Islay.

Isle of Islay has bow ramp problems and needs attention at some point, so when Finlaggan is back either Isle of Arran or Glen Sannox will cover her.

Additionally, there is the need for Loch Seaforth to go get her bow ramp fixed too. So it seems likely Glen Sannox will spend the summer touring the network providing cover where requi red.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Glen Saxon seems much more happier in the longer slightly more challenging runs up north which is interesting

 

[Albaman]

From an update on the ferry forums site

Various updates from Community groups :

Alfred and Caledonian Isles will cover Arran between them for the duration of the summer timetable. Alfred charter extended to cover this.

Finlaggan is delayed by a couple.of days leaving dry dock. Due back Wed 20th. With Feis Ile approaching, Camac have said if Finlaggan doesn't return, Glen Sannox will be dispatched to Islay, with Isle of Arran and Isle of Islay.

Isle of Islay has bow ramp problems and needs attention at some point, so when Finlaggan is back either Isle of Arran or Glen Sannox will cover her.

Additionally, there is the need for Loch Seaforth to go get her bow ramp fixed too. So it seems likely Glen Sannox will spend the summer touring the network providing cover where requi red.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Morayshire]

Another Ferry breakdown but with a twist...

Paddle steamer helps out passengers after CalMac ferry breaks down

The crew of a 79-year-old paddle steamer offered passengers a lift from Mull to Oban after their CalMac ferry was hit by a fault.

The Waverley was headed down the Sound of Mull when MV Isle of Mull broke down on Tuesday.

Another CalMac ferry, the MV Loch Frisa, was available but not all the passengers could be accommodated on a 18:40 sailing and the Waverley's crew asked if it could help out.

Some 42 foot passengers were picked up at Craignure and returned to Oban.

The Waverley is the world's last seagoing paddle steamer and it made its maiden voyage in 1947.

Its owners said the crew was delighted to help out on Tuesday evening.

A spokesperson said: "We were happy to be able to offer this at no cost given the support CalMac has shown towards Waverley over many years."

MV Isle of Mull has since resumed service after spare parts were fitted.

However, some disruption continues to affect CalMac's west coast ferry fleet.

MV Isle of Lewis is unavailable for service while parts are sourced for repairs.

Electrical engineers are due to start work on Friday on a bow thruster issue on MV Lord of the Isles.

MV Loch Seaforth and MV Isle of Islay are operating single-ended, meaning only the aft ramps at the rear of the vessels are available.

This affects the speed of services because traffic has to turn on the car deck to drive off at their destination, instead of driving "through" the ship from one end to the other.

Some larger vehicles have had to reverse on to the ferries.

 

[Transilien]

Another Ferry breakdown but with a twist...

Paddle steamer helps out passengers after CalMac ferry breaks down

MV Isle of Mull is almost the same age as the Waverley when the former was launched!

 

[Stathern Jc]

Another Ferry breakdown but with a twist...

Paddle steamer helps out passengers after CalMac ferry breaks down

Sounds like quite an upgrade for those passengers who might have thought their day wasn't going too well when the Loch Frisa was full.

 

[Southsider]

Sounds like quite an upgrade for those passengers who might have thought their day wasn't going too well when the Loch Frisa was full.

Will we see lengths of 6x2 being used to load cars onto a paddler again! I recall this from childhood day on the Talisman between Largs and Millport.

 

[NB5025]

Northlink are replacing their two freight only ferries. Northlink have a daily passenger (with some priority freight) ferry service from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland. There are also two freight only ferries (although it is possible to book one of six passenger cabins on them - Steve Marsh did a great Youtube video from them recently). The freight ships are really interesting and look fun to travel on because they are for freight. It's a freight ship, it has modest passenger facilities and a much more personal service. The proposal is for 'Freightflex' ships which will still be firstly for freight, but will have significant passenger facilities - up to 200 passenger spaces. It will be much more comparable with the normal ferry. It seems they will use them for extra capacity when needed, or as stand ins for the passenger ships. Its a big upgrade, but the experience of travelling in a freighter will be lost on this route.
There are some quite interesting slides: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-conte...ssels-Public-Engagement-Events-March-2025.pdf

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Northlink are replacing their two freight only ferries. Northlink have a daily passenger (with some priority freight) ferry service from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland. There are also two freight only ferries (although it is possible to book one of six passenger cabins on them - Steve Marsh did a great Youtube video from them recently). The freight ships are really interesting and look fun to travel on because they are for freight. It's a freight ship, it has modest passenger facilities and a much more personal service. The proposal is for 'Freightflex' ships which will still be firstly for freight, but will have significant passenger facilities - up to 200 passenger spaces. It will be much more comparable with the normal ferry. It seems they will use them for extra capacity when needed, or as stand ins for the passenger ships. Its a big upgrade, but the experience of travelling in a freighter will be lost on this route.
There are some quite interesting slides: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-conte...ssels-Public-Engagement-Events-March-2025.pdf

The introduction of these ships might raise the prospect of a resumption of sailings to Norway during weekend down time. When these operated in the past they benefited the local sea food industry as well as tourists. I acknowledge some local authority subsidy might be required.

 

[Cloud Strife]

The Glen Sannox saga rumbles on and on.. however, this is likely to make a lot of people on Arran angry.

New CalMac ferry Glen Sannox taken out of service for 4 months to be standby vessel

Arran ferry which arrived seven years late to be tied up in Stornoway

www.scotsman.com

Arran ferry which arrived seven years late to be tied up in Stornoway

A£200 million CalMac ferry that has been in service for fewer than 18 months is to be tied up in port as a standby vessel in case anything goes wrong with the rest of the fleet.

The long-awaited Glen Sannox started serving Arran - one of CalMac’s busiest routes - in January last year after being completed seven years late and some four times over budget.

However, the operator’s second largest vessel will now be put on “operational standby” in Stornoway.

It will leave Arran’s main routes served by a 32-year-old ferry and a chartered catamaran whose only catering is from vending machines.

Caledonian Isles sails between Ardrossan and Brodick while Alfred operates to Arran’s main port from Troon.
The impending move comes three months after Arran islanders expressed dismay at the prospect of their new ferry being redeployed to the Western Isles.

CalMac said Glen Sannox was chosen for the role because it could operate in more ports than many of its other ferries.

Its spokesperson said: “She will be berthed in Stornoway on standby and hasn't been scheduled to operate on any route yet.”
The firm denied the decision was because there was a high likelihood of another of its ageing large ferries suffering problems following a series of breakdowns around Easter.
However, chief executive Duncan Mackison told The Scotsman last month that CalMac was “on the edge” of further major disruption until three new ferries were delivered from Turkey by next year.

The CalMac spokesperson said: “Our network was affected by unprecedented disruption for several weeks earlier this year, with almost a third of the fleet unavailable at one point.
“We are grateful to communities for their patience and understanding during that challenging period.

“Glen Sannox, which was a much-needed support during the recent disruption by operating the Castlebay-Oban and the Stornoway-Ullapool routes, is doing berthing trials on the Little Minch this week and will be on-hand to provide further support if required.

“The fleet has now returned to normal operations and thanks to the retention of [catamaran] Alfred, we now have a resilience vessel in the major vessel fleet until October.
“Throughout the summer, this should allow us to manage any unplanned technical issues more readily and increase confidence levels in those who travel on our services.

“The resilience vessel will likely change over the summer but the plans for this haven't been finalised yet.”

The spokesperson said Alfred was limited as to where it could operate, while Ullapool-Stornoway ferry Loch Seaforth could not operate anywhere else and Barra ferry Isle of Lewis could only also serve the Stornoway route.

Glen Sannox suffered a series of problems after being completed by the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow which will cost more than £3m to repair.
They include a replacement propeller after vibration caused a crack in its hull.

Sister vessel Glen Rosa, which was also earmarked for the Troon to Brodick route, is due to be completed by Ferguson Marine by the end of the year.

I suspect that there is more to this story than meets the eye. It seems entirely implausible that they would leave Glen Sannox tied up in summer given the demand on the Arran route, unless there is something seriously wrong, either with her or with the other major vessels going to the Western Isles. Either way, this needs to be explained properly, as I cannot comprehend leaving her tied up while other much older vessels are continuing to sail. If anything, she should be operating one of the Oban routes!

 

[thejuggler]

A few short weeks before the main summer season and this announcement is made! Putting it into service and 'resting'' one of the older ships would appear to make more sense, but just like the railway when it makes changes, I'm sure there are many operational reasons why simply swapping from one ferry to another isn't possible.

 

[185143]

A few short weeks before the main summer season and this announcement is made! Putting it into service and 'resting'' one of the older ships would appear to make more sense, but just like the railway when it makes changes, I'm sure there are many operational reasons why simply swapping from one ferry to another isn't possible.

All sorts of reasons. Both down to the ships themselves and the ports they're operating in.

Take the Leverburgh-Berneray route for example. The water gets pretty shallow with lots of obstructions underneath. Only two of CalMac's ships can operate it. Loch Portain and Loch Bhrusda. And the timetable is often affected by tides.

They brought Ben-my-Chree up for berthing trials at Brodick a couple of years back, it was far too big. The width of the ship meant that the gangway was deployed right at the edge of the space available. In anything other than perfect conditions the ship wouldn't have been able to dock. I suspect Troon would have been ok as it used to host much larger ships before CalMac started using it.

Mallaig has restrictions on which ships can use it too, though I'm not certain as to the reasons. Lord of The Isles, Coruisk and Lochnevis are the only bigger ships which can serve Mallaig. Hence why when Isle of Mull or the Auld Trooper have ran to Lochboisdale they have to divert to Oban.

Loch Seaforth is far too big to fit anywhere except Ullapool and Stornoway. Surprisingly, Alfred doesn't fit at Stornoway.

I think Alfred has been used on the Little Minch?

 

[43055]

All sorts of reasons. Both down to the ships themselves and the ports they're operating in.

Take the Leverburgh-Berneray route for example. The water gets pretty shallow with lots of obstructions underneath. Only two of CalMac's ships can operate it. Loch Portain and Loch Bhrusda. And the timetable is often affected by tides.

They brought Ben-my-Chree up for berthing trials at Brodick a couple of years back, it was far too big. The width of the ship meant that the gangway was deployed right at the edge of the space available. In anything other than perfect conditions the ship wouldn't have been able to dock. I suspect Troon would have been ok as it used to host much larger ships before CalMac started using it.

Mallaig has restrictions on which ships can use it too, though I'm not certain as to the reasons. Lord of The Isles, Coruisk and Lochnevis are the only bigger ships which can serve Mallaig. Hence why when Isle of Mull or the Auld Trooper have ran to Lochboisdale they have to divert to Oban.

Loch Seaforth is far too big to fit anywhere except Ullapool and Stornoway. Surprisingly, Alfred doesn't fit at Stornoway.

I think Alfred has been used on the Little Minch?

I think Alfred was used between Tarbert and Lochmaddy as a Leverburgh-Berneray replacment.

Part of my thinking is the Arran service has now settled down with Alfred and Cal Isles for the summer and the Glen Sannox appeard to be more suited to the longer Barra service.

 

[185143]

I think Alfred was used between Tarbert and Lochmaddy as a Leverburgh-Berneray replacment.

Part of my thinking is the Arran service has now settled down with Alfred and Cal Isles for the summer and the Glen Sannox appeard to be more suited to the longer Barra service.

Yes, I think you're right.

Glen Sannox did appear at home on the Barra run. I get the feeling Isle of Lewis is probably a bit big for it given it was designed for Stornoway originally. But there's nowhere else IoL can really go given I think it only fits Oban, Castlebay, Stornoway and Ullapool.

 

[Elwyn]

Loch Seaforth is far too big to fit anywhere except Ullapool and Stornoway. Surprisingly, Alfred doesn't fit at Stornoway.

There was a series about Calmac on BBC Scotland (I think) following the lives of some of the crew and in one episode Alfred arrived in Stornoway for berthing trials. It could fit the pier and linkspan and they did drive a few test vehicles on and off but at the point where the ship meets the linkspan there was too steep a ramp for general use. Alfred must be lower in the water than some other vessels and they decided there was a serious risk of vehicles grounding as they drove on and off.

 

[BayPaul]

Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa should never have been built. A class of three smaller, simpler, cheaper ferries that could fit pretty much the whole network would allow an hourly service from Ardrossan to Brodick and give far more resilience.

 

[Cloud Strife]

A few short weeks before the main summer season and this announcement is made! Putting it into service and 'resting'' one of the older ships would appear to make more sense, but just like the railway when it makes changes, I'm sure there are many operational reasons why simply swapping from one ferry to another isn't possible.

I think the most likely reason is that Glen Sannox can get into most of the ports, so she can take over immediately if something goes wrong with one of the other vessels. On the other hand, if they have something like the Isle of Lewis on standby, then she can't go to many ports. So, daft as it sounds, it's actually best for resilience if Glen Sannox is in reserve rather than one of the other vessels. Of course, they shouldn't need any reserve vessels, but the fleet being what it is, this is probably the best outcome.

The cynic in me thinks that the other part of this is that they know that Glen Sannox can't be relied on, so it's better to have her in relief where she can take over for a short term, while they can fix up whatever might need fixed internally. Still, I can imagine that people on Arran are absolutely livid that they're having to rely on Alfred while Glen Sannox is available for use, although Alfred is quite popular with locals for her reliability.

I just wonder why CMAL hasn't replaced the Irish Berth's linkspan in Ardrossan by now. There's no need to go to Troon with Alfred, and having the Irish Berth available again would help out Caley Isles too.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

I think the most likely reason is that Glen Sannox can get into most of the ports, so she can take over immediately if something goes wrong with one of the other vessels. On the other hand, if they have something like the Isle of Lewis on standby, then she can't go to many ports. So, daft as it sounds, it's actually best for resilience if Glen Sannox is in reserve rather than one of the other vessels. Of course, they shouldn't need any reserve vessels, but the fleet being what it is, this is probably the best outcome.

The cynic in me thinks that the other part of this is that they know that Glen Sannox can't be relied on, so it's better to have her in relief where she can take over for a short term, while they can fix up whatever might need fixed internally. Still, I can imagine that people on Arran are absolutely livid that they're having to rely on Alfred while Glen Sannox is available for use, although Alfred is quite popular with locals for her reliability.

I just wonder why CMAL hasn't replaced the Irish Berth's linkspan in Ardrossan by now. There's no need to go to Troon with Alfred, and having the Irish Berth available again would help out Caley Isles too.

The berth is unsafe is it not and needs huge a lot of work

 

[Southsider]

There are reports in various media outlets that CMAL have paid in advance for the three incomplete vessels being built in Turkey after the shipyard fell into financial difficulties.

 

[trei2k]

One such article on BBC News:

Ferries agency pays in full for unfinished CalMac ships built in Turkey

Scotland's publicly-owned ferries body has paid in full and taken legal ownership of three CalMac ships being built in Turkey - even though they are still unfinished.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) said it was a "precautionary measure" because the Cemre shipyard was facing economic challenges.

The unusual move means the ships - MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore - could still be brought to Scotland even if the shipyard went bust, although CMAL would have to finance the cost of completing them.

CMAL's chief executive Kevin Hobbs said he was disappointed by the circumstances but believed it was the best way of protecting investment already made in the ships.

CMAL placed two contracts totalling about £200m with the privately-owned Cemre shipyard in 2022 and 2023 for a total of four large ferries for the CalMac fleet.

The first ship, MV Isle of Islay, was delivered in January this year, about 15 months late, and is currently in service on the Kennacraig to Islay route.

The remaining three are at various stages of construction at the shipyard, located at Yalova in the north west of Turkey, with the second vessel due for delivery shortly.

Ferries agency pays in full for unfinished CalMac ships built in Turkey

CMAL has taken legal ownership of three ships as the shipyard faces economic challenges.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Cloud Strife]

This doesn't look good. CMAL doing this means there's a real risk of something going wrong with the shipbuilding process, and while I guess Ferguson could probably finish them if needs be, it would be a massive scandal if the shipyard goes bankrupt before delivery. It also means that any warranty is pretty much worthless at this point, although some money will be kept in escrow to cover repairs in the short term.