We're reminded of the stushie surrounding Dr Mills's 1999 appointment, and that Mr Sinclair used to run Ailsa Shipbuilding at Troon - ''main supplier of ferries for CalMac''; the company folded shortly after he assumed his Gourock post. Comments have been closed on this article. Western Ferries competes directly on the Clyde's Gourock-Dunoon service; a private operator runs an alternative Skye ferry, and other car ferries at Jura, Luing, and Corran are run by local authorities. MV Clansman has recently had problems recently with a bow thruster, used for manoeuvring. During her repairs, MVHebridean Isles took up service on the Arran crossing, while MVCatriona operated a shuttle service from Claonaig to Lochranza to clear the backlog of traffic unable to board the smaller Hebridean Isles at Ardrossan. And it insists it remains on the lookout for suitable second hand boats. He said he was not aware of any interference by ministers or civil servants in the procurement process. She was built in 2015 as Utne and operated for Norled for 6 years. She said Glen Sannox, for the main Arran route . Ignoring all counsel from those who knew the Pentland Firth, Orkney Islands Council financed a short crossing from Gillis Bay, Caithness, to South Ronaldsay. The ferry operator is facing frequent issues as it has to constantly repair the aging fleet which is blighted with problems due to the lack of back ups. Editors' Code of Practice. Most islands in the west of Scotland rely on services from state-owned CalMac, which operates 34 vessels - the largest fleet in the UK. There are four vessels in the fleet which cannot be listed in the above categories. She is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), which runs ferries to the Hebridean and Clyde Islands of Scotland. Something needs to change.". It comes after a summer of cancellations and disruption across the CalMac ferry network due to breakdowns with the ageing ferry fleet. Please contact the server administrator at After a month the Caithness linkspan was destroyed by gales; the affair finally cost islanders some (pounds) 7m. Most are symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern. . We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Something went wrong, please try again later. how much does a pelvic ultrasound cost; 30 Junio, 2022; has a calmac ferry ever sunk . It added that some staff employed at the time had now left. The former SNP Westminster leader claimed he had not spoken to Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell about the Police Scotland probe into the party's 'missing' 600k. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he was concerned by the BBC's findings and would look into the matter further. [12], In April 2022, Caledonian Isles suffered a port engine failure and struck the breakwater. "People aren't stupid, they know that there is not ferry and there is usually a daily lorry with fresh stuff. She was relieved by MVHebridean Isles, thereby causing knock-on cancellations to services to South Uist, where the latter vessel was due to relieve next. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The company provides lifeline services to 23 islands off the west coast of Scotland, as well as operating routes in the Firth of Clyde. At least three runs - Stornoway, Craignure, and Brodick - are notionally profitable. One of the dilemmas facing Scotland's ferry network is that it needs to commit to new ships now that could be in service for decades - yet it is still unclear which future technology will win out. 'For god's sake do something': Food rationing fury as islanders blame CalMac ferry cancellations. [20][21] Following a naming competition, CMAL announced renaming as MV Loch Frisa.[22]. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has pledged to look into the new evidence. Vessels are owned by the asset holding company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which is in turn wholly owned by the Scottish Government. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. [16], MVArgyll Flyer (244 passengers) and the catamaran MVAli Cat (250 passengers) are passenger-only ferries used on the Gourock - Dunoon service. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can It would be interesting to see Kerevan's obsession with the profit-motive applied, say, to the police, or our prisons, or the armed forces. But CalMac has a problem - the pace of renewal has been slow and the ageing boats are developing more faults, leading to delays and cancellations. During adverse weather conditions, Caledonian Isles has been diverted to Gourock. Sign up to our daily newsletter here. She was built in 2015 as Utne and operated for Norled for 6 years. Such craft are prohibitively expensive to fuel, cause dangerous ''superwaves'' in enclosed waters, and could never manage the exposed seas of Hebridean winter. If you run your business the way Calmac operate ferries, you would go bust a long time ago, because the customers will say you don't are.". [12] Argyll Ferries purchased MVAli Cat and a former Irish boat renamed MVArgyll Flyer to serve the route. 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. Documents obtained by BBC Disclosure indicate that successful bidder Ferguson Marine Engineering benefited from preferential treatment. We are lucky at The Herald. Islanders' anger at wider ferry disruption. CalMac is the Scottish Government-owned operator of the current eight-year ferry contract, awarded by Transport Scotland after a competition with private sector operator Serco and due to end in. A mere 7cm (3in) shorter, MVLoch Fyne and MVLoch Dunvegan were built for the Skye crossing. The rank outsider to become First Minister has only received the public backing of one serving politician, Joanna Cherry, amid struggles to get her campaign going. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. The article. Jim McColl said "with hindsight" having the CalMac document put Ferguson in a strong position. MV Loch Seaforth, at 116m (381ft) in length the largest vessel in the fleet, operates on the Ullapool to Stornoway, Lewis crossing. They were nicknamed the "streakers", because of their speed and ability to manoeuvre rapidly both at sea and in port. 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. 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. The same has happend some (or many) years ago in fog with a freighter connected with 2 She was removed from service and relieved by Isle of Arran, with Loch Riddon providing additional capacity on the Lochranza - Claonaig route alongside Catriona. The documentary learned that last November union representatives told Finance Secretary Kate Forbes they had lost confidence in the senior management team. 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. Caledonian Isles has only ever operated between Ardrossan and Brodick on Arran. CalMac's chairman Dr Harold Mills and chief executive Lawrie Sinclair are identified for wounding, personal criticism. "You cannot get more than one carton of milk in each shop. [1] She was built for and has run on the Largs to Cumbrae route since 2007. It's suggested the timing was just right to coincide with King Charles' controversial meeting with EU leader Ursula von der Leyen. Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, said: During this latest disruption, we have shipped all the food deliveries we have been asked to take. A Gannett Company. On services where capacity is affected, we would encourage those customers who are able to do so, make reservations as foot passengers. MV Hebrides was first removed from service in mid-June due to a problem with its fire-fighting system. During the summer 2012 period, the capacity was limited to 12 passengers for HGV drivers during the week, whilst a full passenger service was provided on Saturdays. Next on the shopping list is a replacement for 33-year-old MV Lord of the Isles, which operates between Mallaig and South Uist - but that's at an early stage and a new ship could be several years away. His 454-day tenure in the role cost the taxpayer almost 1.3m but BBC Disclosure has learned that it ended in more disillusionment for the workforce. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. The new offer will see teachers getting a 12.3% increase by April 2023 and it will rise to 14% by 2024. This caused significant disruption to the Arran service, with all vehicle bookings cancelled and a significant reduction in capacity. Absurdly, the paper demands ''modern ferry technology - including catamarans''. To qualify for concessionary SPT ferry fares, you must live permanently (or own, and pay council tax, in respect of a 2nd home) on one of the islands covered by the scheme or live on the . Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Now and again we're reminded. 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. He has been contacted for comment. Michael Beales men were desperate to put last weeks 2-1 Hampden defeat behind them and faced a Kilmarnock side crying out for success on the road. Why doesn't he name them? CalMac said told The Herald: "Our team is working hard to provide alternative solutions. Mr Swinney told the Scottish Parliament that he welcomed this move, and that the government's permanent secretary had been in contact with the Auditor General to discuss the matter. ], she usually berths overnight at Ardrossan all year. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. 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. They operate on shorter crossings, usually between 5 and 30 minutes, although MV Loch Portain takes 70 minutes to cross the Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh. by the paper's associate editor, George Kerevan, was so dire it seems the hapless Kerevan would be hard-pressed to tell a bowloader from a paddle-steamer. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. The ferry operator said the Inner Hebrides' MV Clansman and Islay's MV Hebridean Isles are out of action due to technical problems and delays have delayed the return of Arran's MV Caledonian Isles from its annual overhaul as the ship has been in dry dock since 9 January. After transport minister Jenny Gilruth convened a resilience meeting with the local MP, MSP, councillors and other stakeholders Alasdair Allan the SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar said the minister agreed to look at whether a compensation scheme can be created from financial performance penalties imposed on CalMac. The boost in numbers is good news for the islands in many ways but locals often complain of trouble getting a booking. Alas, they are those of his paper. One, by ferry operator CalMac, found that a rival bid from a Polish shipyard best met its requirements, while an independent naval architect noted that FMEL's initial design was heavier and less efficient than the others. During the period of the summer timetable there is an additional sailing on Friday evenings, leaving Ardrossan at 2030, returning from Brodick at 2140. The following month it was announced that Mr Hair was moving on. They remain in close local contact with communities and hauliers and are working with them to prioritise the movement of essential supplies. Highland Seabird, despite carrying 60,000 passengers in a season, proved utterly uneconomic. In Denmark, fully-electric ferries are already sailing but only on relatively short routes. MV Loch Seaforth. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Announcements that Caledonian MacBrayne ferries have been withdrawn from service for repairs are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Humza Yousaf 'should be anti-nationalist choice' for First Minister - because he's so useless, The Majority reckons the health secretary will create a 'raging bin fire' for the SNP if he gets the keys to Bute House when the party votes on a new leader, Rangers players rated as dominant first half enough to see off Kilmarnock to close gap on Celtic at top. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Caledonian MacBrayne is not quite a monopoly. He said: "It is material that I take seriously, about which I have concerns, which raises fundamental issues for me about the fairness and the appropriateness of the tender process.". Long-delayed new CalMac ferries will take a further eight months to be completed by Ferguson Marine, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has told MSPs.