Residents on Barra are gravely concerned CalMac is considering taking transferring Castlebay’s regular vessel to cover another route this summer.
This week, the shipping firm has been consulting with communities across the entire Hebridean and west coast network over potential redeployment options of ships as it desperately seeks to maintain lifeline sailings while confronted with a severe fleet shortage.
One of its older vessels, MV Caledonian Isles, is out of action for at least four months at present estimates due to structural strengthening and steelwork issues.
Consequences of her absence not only removes one major vessel from an already depleted and aging fleet, throwing up a massive problem over how to deliver her very busy Ardrossan - Arran route but will impose knock-on impacts on various routes.
CalMac provided a stark warning: “We have limited deployment options, and the fleet is stretched to the limit, the loss of the vessel for this length of time at this time of year will affect the wider network.”
CalMac is addressing the problem by making tough choices in finalising decisions over which ships will be removed from island communities to serve elsewhere during the summer period.
Hebrides News raised the MV Isle of Lewis issue with CalMac earlier this week and awaits clarity if the vessel will undertake berthing trials on the Arran route to assess her suitability there.
While the ship is too deep to operate a fixed timetabled service at the majority of CalMac ports, she could run potentially contingency or relief sailings at high tide in a number of harbours.
The possibility of MV Alfred supporting the Arran route from 9 March, when she is due to return from annual maintenance, is being evaluated.
CalMac said “re-shaped summer deployment plans” around the network will be published on Tuesday. These plans are expected to focus on revamped vessel and timetable arrangements with expected fleet changes and confirmation of reshuffled ferries from 29 March onwards.
The firm acknowledges the “concern and frustration” caused for communities.
MP Angus MacNeil today demanded the vessel remains on the Castlebay - Oban route.
He warned there seems to be a “very real risk of losing MV Isle of Lewis.”
“This must be scotched straight away for the good of the entire Hebridean economy. Gateway ports can’t be losing big capacity and those coming from the longest route in Oban can’t have a smaller and slower ferry. Inevitably this will affect tourism throughout the entire Hebridean chain if this does happen.
“People can often come into the Hebrides on the north and come out on the south or vice versa visiting various ports in-between. Retaining all capacity to the Outer Hebrides is vital especially as MV Isle of Lewis provides such a large capacity.
“The Hebrides’ fragile economy, the most fragile economy in Scotland, cannot take a sabotaging in May or June this year.”
Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac, said: “We know the fact we are having to redeploy vessels has caused concern in communities across the whole network, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and for taking the time to provide their views on several potential redeployment options.
“Given our fleet was already stretched to the limit, it is inevitable the loss of one of our larger vessels during peak season will cause some disruption across the wider network.
“But our team has been working hard to evaluate what we can do for our summer timetable to minimise that disruption.
“Any decisions on vessel deployment are not taken lightly.”
He added: “The network, and in particular Islay and Arran, will soon benefit from new vessels which will help to provide the resilient service communities deserve.
“Until they are operational, we will continue to do whatever we can to provide a reliable service.”
Fears Barra will lose MV Isle of Lewis as CalMac ‘reshapes’ fleet deployment this summer
29 February 2024
