Disruptions on the cards as broken ferry returns to repair yard
31 May 2016
Mainland ferry services for Barra face upheaval with the designated vessel withdrawn from service following engine problems.
The MV Isle of Lewis has been despatched to a repair yard in Greenock.
The vessel developed a fault with one of her twin engines very soon after departing Castlebay yesterday morning.
After completing the majority of her voyage to Oban on reduced speed the vessel was taken out of service for repairs.
The event has echoes of major engine fault in April when a defective oil cooler on the same ship resulted in travel chaos for Barra. Grocery and essential deliveries were stranded on the mainland for days with the Lewis laid up on the Clyde as Cal Mac struggled to source an important spare part.
It is unclear when the present fault will be fixed.
The MV Clansman was urgently drafted in to provide a sailing last night, resulting
an knock-
Cal Mac announced the afternoon service out of Oban will not operate.
The shipping firm suggested disrupted passengers could take a longer land route by heading north to Skye and island hop southward via other ferries to Barra.
A Cal Mac notice said: “The 13:40 from Oban to Castlebay has been cancelled. We apologise for the disruption this causes to our customers.”