Engineers probe mystery fault plaguing unseaworthy CalMac ferry for months

Engineers probe mystery fault plaguing CalMac ferry for months

5 June 2023

One of CalMac’s major ships is apparently still not suitable for service despite prolonged efforts to pinpoint the cause of a major technical defect with her propellers which seems to confound even specialist engineers.

MV Hebridean Isles has rarely put to sea since Christmas and was removed from passenger duties since February.

Her absence continues to cause a wave of disruption across west coast lifeline sea links leading up to the withdrawal of South Uist’s mainland ferry service this summer.

New propeller blades have now been fitted to the vessel in a hope of finally getting her back into action Hebrides News has learnt.

In recent days the ship was taken out of the water in drydock in Troon to undertake the installation.

Engineers hope the blades’ changeover will make the vessel more manoeuvrable, and allow for the safe operation and berthing of the vessel.

However, the success of the exercise is still to be tested with “extensive” sea trials apparently required to assess if the desired effect will be achieved. No timescale has been provided.

South Uist is the latest casualty of MV Hebridean Isles’ absence, with CalMac sparking outrage by axing the Lochboisdale - Mallag crossing and removing the island’s ferry to cover the busy Islay route.

If the Heb Isles - as she is fondly nicknamed, passes inspection she will be deployed to Islay thus releasing MV Lord of the Isles to return to Uist.

If not - and there are deep doubts amongst ferry observers since the Heb Isles has not moved after departing drydock three days ago - then Lochboisdale is set to suffer without a ferry link until the beginning of July - and even possibly later.

CalMac does not intend to allocate a relief ship nor provide any kind of skeleton service.

Instead, traffic will bypass Lochboisdale by being diverted through Oban on a twice-as-long sailing to Castlebay, a drive through Barra to catch another ferry to Eriskay and an onward journey across the causeway to Uist. All such arrangements depends on already limited deck space being available on the alternative routes.

For CalMac customers wary of the uncertainty and the longer journey, the hassle may not be worth it. Cancelled accommodation bookings loom and tourism dependent businesses face a bleak summer.

Over the lengthy period of the Hebridean Isles failure to put to sea, CalMac shared very little detail about the fault, preferring to describe the situation as “pitch control issues.”

CalMac said: “Due to ongoing pitch control issues impacting MV Hebridean Isles which require further repairs, the vessel will be unavailable for service during MV Finlaggan’s overhaul.

“As a result, MV Lord of the Isles will now be redeployed to the route to operate the previously published amended timetable alongside MV Isle of Arran.”

On the axing for the Lochboisdale link, the Robert Morrison, operations director for CalMac, said: “This was an extremely difficult decision and I understand that this will be disruptive for the local community and for customers who had planned to use this route.

“ I apologise for the affect that this cancellation will have and can assure customers that we are working hard to get vessels back in service.”