Frequency of ferry sailings goes down because the lift won’t go up
13 June 2025
Further disruption continues to dog the CalMac’s very busy Sound of Harris route.
The number of timetabled sailings has been cut on peak days despite the return of
regular vessel, MV Loch Portain, following a ten day absence to repair a propulsion
unit.
Increased capacity on the link - which would have seen an extra three return sailings
a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, typically the busiest days between Berneray
and Leverburgh - has yet to commence because of her onboard passenger lift broken
down immediately following a repair.
CalMac explained: “MV Loch Portain’s lift control system has been replaced rectifying
the previously identified failure however, during operational testing, a motor unrelated
to the control system failed.
“As a result of this, the lift will remain out of service until the spare part has
been delivered.
“Due to this, we have amended the Berneray-Leverburgh timetable up to and including
Sunday 22 June.
“This amended timetable allows the crew to support passengers who require assistance
and meets statutory requirements for crew hours of rest.”
Instead of ramping up, ferry travel on the Sound of Harris route was restricted while
the smaller and slower MV Loch Bhrusda was brought in as a relief vessel. She could
only carry up to 18 cars, nearly half the figure of the Loch Portain.
The Sound of Harris ferry crossing continues to operate at under capacity
