CalMac ferry reshuffle releases ship for Uist relief service

CalMac ferry reshuffle as MV Alfred redeployment to Clyde area releases ship for Uist relief service

3 January 2023

Hitches with CalMac’s dry docking schedule will see a number of relief ferry changes.

MV Alfred - on charter from Pentland Ferries - will operate on the Arran service during MV Caledonian Isles’ drydocking, thus allowing MV Hebridean Isles to transfer to the South Uist link instead of MV Isle of Mull until further notice.

The Isle of Arran Ferry Committee indicated an overrun with MV Isle of Mull’s overhaul is the reason behind the swap.

The Hebridean Isles plans to pick up the Lochboisdale service this afternoon (Wednesday) when MV Lord of the Isles is despatched to Oban to cover MV Clansman’s timetable.

MV Lord of the Isles is expected to away from Uist for a couple of months as MV Clansman will undertake her overhaul followed by a stint on the Skye triangle route.

No Uist - Mallaig sailings will operate until the Lord of the Isles returns, which is currently pencilled in for 10 March - barring any unplanned maintenance issues with MV Clansman. The service will run to Oban instead.

In what will be a welcomed change to previously announced plans, direct sailings have been reinstated (to Oban) for both Castlebay and Lochboisdale over February instead of a combined South Uist - Barra - Oban service said CalMac. Revised timetables are available but the booking system needs to be updated.

Several CalMac vessels - such as the Clansman - require more time in drydock this winter.

This is needed for a “peak of scheduled maintenance and survey work, which is in keeping with the fleet age profile,” said CalMac.

At times, highlighted the ferry operator, “emergent work” is discovered during annual maintenance, delaying vessels from returning to service. Last year such incidents created chaos, unprecedented hold-ups to starting drydock work, and diminished services for communities.