As severe disruption affects various ferry routes into next week, CalMac have issued a request for customers to be patient with their staff who work at ports and on vessels.
Fiona Galbraith, CalMac’s area operations manager for the Hebrides and Skye, said: "We know how much the community relies on ferry services, and understand the frustration and anger at the Lochboisdale service being cancelled for a week.
“Our teams, all of whom call the local area home, share this disappointment and we all hope normal service can be restored as quickly as possible.”
She added: “While most people understand that technical problems and service disruption
is absolutely not the fault of port staff and crew, we have had multiple instances
of these frontline teams being subjected to unacceptable abuse and name-calling.
“Nobody should have to deal with that when they are trying to do their job, and I
would urge everyone to treat our hard-working people with respect.
“Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.”
Travel chaos erupted this week when CalMac announced last minute withdrawal of ferry services for South Uist and disruption elsewhere in its west coast network.
As a result of MV Caledonian Isles requiring repairs and MV Isle of Arran departing for annual overhaul, MV Lord of the Isles has been redeployed to the Islay route until further notice.
All Uist to Mallaig sailings are cancelled with very short notice of the changes given to passengers.
No additional sailings have been arranged to date on the Sound of Barra route to
connect South Uist travellers with the Castlebay - Oban service.
CalMac warns passengers against aggressive behaviour
26 September 2024
