An attempt to return the Skye triangle ferry, MV Hebrides, to normal service earlier
than previously envisaged will be carried out this week.
Chartered catamaran, MV Alfred, was due to cover the routes while the Hebrides was
sent to Stornoway for four or five days to carry out inspections in regard to two
cracks on the starboard steel arm which lifts the heavyweight bow visor.
Misalignment of the visor following its reinstalment during annual overhaul is believed
to be connected to the appearance of the damage.
An amended timetable is currently in place resulting in longer turnaround times at
port and causing some cancelled sailings.
Coaches, lorries, and vehicles towing caravans or trailers have to reverse either
on or off the vessel through the stern door, increasing loading and unloading times.
CalMac intended to redeploy MV Alfred to operate an amended timetable on the Little
Minch route over the duration. Any alternative solution which avoids pulling her
away away from the Clyde would be beneficial as the Alfred is needed to cover the
Arran route if delays continue to plague MV Caledonian Isles’ return to service.
Plus, the Alfred is due to undergo a spot of maintenance herself it is understood.
Under the revised plan, contractors intend to apply a temporary weld to the arm at
Tarbert after she completes her last run of the day on Thursday. Weld tests will
be conducted the following day, Friday, and if things work out the ship’s bow visor
can be brought back into use and MV Alfred may not be required.
However, bookings for the Skye triangle route for five days for 30 June remain unavailable.
If the lifting arm can be raised, a series of necessary full inspections of six hatches
would then be scheduled around the timetabled ferry service.
However, all changes to sailings will be kept in place at the weekend even if the
visor can come back into operation.
The present temporary ferry timetable is out of sync with a number of public transport
bus and travellers may miss bus connections for Tarbert - Stornoway, the Lochmaddy
public bus or Uig Citylink late bus connection.
CalMac plan to fast-forward temporary repair to MV Hebrides’ damaged bow visor
16 June 2025
