The chief executive of Scotland’s largest ferry operator has apologised to customers for disruption as the return of one of its vessels has been delayed further for essential repairs.
CalMac announced the 31-year-old MV Caledonian Isles, which is currently receiving steel renewal and repairs, has temporarily been decommissioned for approximately 16 further weeks.
On Wednesday, the company was informed by the dry dock operator that the vessel needs significant maintenance, following an annual overhaul, at an expected cost of around £5 million.
The auxiliary and main engines will have to be removed to make room for repairs.
The ferry operates in North Ayrshire between the Isle of Arran on the Ardrossan to Brodick route and has a capacity of 1,000 passengers and 110 cars.
CalMac staff have begun assessing the scope of work and are looking into what impact not having the MV Caledonian Isles in service for the start of summer will have.
They are to release revised deployment plans by March 4.
Robbie Drummond, CalMac’s chief executive, apologised for any “knock-on-effect” on the company’s other routes.
He said: “We know this news will cause concern and frustration for communities across the whole network, and we apologise for this.
“Our team will be working exceptionally hard over the coming days to assess every eventuality in terms of vessel deployment, with a view to minimising disruption for the communities and customers we serve.
“We will do the best we can in these circumstances, but it is unavoidable that there will be a knock-on effect on other routes on the network.
“MV Caledonian Isles has served North Ayrshire with distinction for over three decades, but like any ageing vessel the scope of work required in annual overhaul is likely to grow each year.”
He added: “Over a third of our vessels are now operating beyond their average life expectancy, and we invested record levels in annual maintenance in 2023.
“We are stretched to the absolute limit in terms of network deployment already, and the arrival of six major and 10 small vessels in the coming years will provide much-needed resilience and reliability to the service.”
Repairs to the ferry operator’s ageing fleet caused months of cancellations last summer, sparking anger from islanders.
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