CalMac abruptly pulls MV Alfred off Western Isles lifeline link on first day

CalMac has withdrawn chartered ferry, MV Alfred, from a lifeline Western Isles route.

The decision was announced soon after the 85-metre-long ship commenced sailings on a Tarbert - Lochmaddy timetable today which is acting for a substitute Sound of Harris link.

She is unable to operate to the slipways at Berneray or Leverburgh is a good fit for the piers at nearby Lochmaddy and Tarbert

CalMac said the Alfred is being despatched to the island of Arran because their ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, is out of action with a steering fault.

The Alfred’s placement on a twice daily Tarbert - Lochmaddy service followed a serious of severe interruptions on getting essential supplies between Lewis/ Harris and Uist and Barra.

The shipping company said: “MV Alfred will be removed from the alternative Sound of Harris route this afternoon (Friday) and redeployed to Arran.

“It is anticipated that repairs to the Caledonian Isles will be completed over the weekend and that MV Alfred will be able to return to us at the beginning of next week and continue to support the Sound of Harris route.”

CalMac said: “I realise that this will be unwelcome news as the route has been disrupted for a number of weeks as a result of the Loch Portain's technical issue and subsequent weather restriction but it is necessary to remove the Alfred to ensure the Arran community is not left with no service.

“With the current forecast for tomorrow, we are confident that MV Loch Portain will be able to operate to timetable and will review the forecast tomorrow for Sunday's service.”

With the looming prospect of the rest of the season being dominated by widespread cancelled sailings on the Berneray - Leverburgh link, CalMac faces with the problem of ensuring people, health and emergency personnel, foodstuffs, and essential supplies get through to Uist and Barra.

Sailings have regularly been cancelled over days on end - creating backlogs of stranded traffic - since an engine breakdown manifested on Sound of Harris vessel, MV Loch Portain. Passenger-only travel has been provided by a hired boat, weather permitting.

The Alfred was recently ruled out for the Stornoway - Ullapool service.

But Hebrides News reported berthing trials were carried out to evaluate deployment of the ship on a substitute Tarbert - Lochmaddy sailing while the Sound the Harris route is regularly hit by outages.

Lochmaddy was previously tested by MV Alfred in April but a second berthing trial was instructed as pier dimensions have altered following improvement works.

A sizeable amount of inter-island trade depend upon the Leverburgh - Berneray link with many essential goods and services transported in a north to south direction for Uist and Barra.

Over the past weeks, a series of mass cancellations caused by a significant engine fault on MV Loch Portain resulted in severe disruption.

An ongoing issue with the Loch Portain means it can only operate on three out of four engines, and it is not able to run to its normal weather limitations.

CalMac abruptly pulls MV Alfred off Western Isles lifeline link on first day

10 November 2023