A harbour crash between Caledonian Macbrayne’s largest ferry and a dockside wall has created a logistical nightmare for west coast ferry services.
Cal Mac has been forced to swap ships across its fleet after the MV Isle of Lewis was badly damaged when it smashed into a harbour wall. To make matters worst its spare vessel, which normally covers such contingencies, is laid up and out of action.
The MV Isle of Lewis collided into the dockside in Birkenhead, Liverpool in an accident caused by the tugs trying to manoeuvre her into the River Mersey after a extended period in drydock.
The ship, which was already days late in returning to her duties on the Lewis to Ullapool run after serious problems were discovered with her engines which required a major overhaul, is now stuck in Birkenhead and is unable to go to sea until repairs are carried out.
It leaves the busiest route on the west coast without a ferry as the temporary relief ship, MV Clansman which reliably covered the Stornoway service for nearly three weeks, needed to sail to Aberdeen on Sunday for her own refit. She arrived on the east coast at lunchtime on Monday.
The dock collision means smaller and slower ships earmarked to different routes which risks delays and longer trips for passengers.
The Hebridean Isles has been taken off the equally busy Inner Hebrides services and sent north. But she is three knots slower and can only carry half the number of cars and passengers than the Isles of Lewis
It couldn’t have happened at a worst time as hundreds more people are expected to travel this weekend when Lewis schools get an long break to mark the Stornoway communions.
A Cal Mac spokesman said: "Due to a number of issues associated with the refit schedule, we have had to shuffle vessels across the fleet."
He explained: "The MV Isle of Lewis has been in dry dock and has undergone a major,
unexpected, engine repair. Her duties on Stornoway-
"Due to the scale of the repairs to the MV Isle of Lewis we were concerned to build in some contingency in the event that she encountered problems returning north and therefore the MV Hebridean Isles was sent north from Islay to provide cover.
"This was only due to last a few days, but unfortunately, the MV Isle of Lewis was damaged when leaving the dock and has had to return for repairs. It is hoped she will be back on the route at the end of the week."
He highlighted: "In the meantime, we are confident that MV Hebridean Isles will be able to cope with projected traffic, as we intend switching some commercial traffic to the MV Muirneag which is operating and the weather forecast is good.
"We are currently assessing traffic on the Islay routes and believe that the MV Finlaggan will be able to cope for the week, while MV Hebridean Isles is in the Western Isles. We are working on the basis that MV Hebridean Isles will return to pick up the Islay service on Monday morning (20th) .
"However, if we think MV Finlaggan is not coping, we will put the MV Isle of Arran
onto the Islay run, but she is currently laid-
"We are therefore closely monitoring the situation and will respond as required. We apologise for any inconvenience to ferry travellers."
Isle of Lewis crashes into Liverpool 13/2/12
The Hebridean Isles is a slower ferry