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The technical problem affecting the MV Loch Seaforth in Ullapool last night did not prevent her from sailing.

 

However, an “operational decision” was taken to summon the main ferry on the route - MV Isle of Lewis - to reduce the length of delay for passengers.

 

A cooling fan which is understood to have fallen off its mountings took five hours to fix. The issue is typical of the many teething problems experienced after any new-build ship enters working service.

 

Her departure was delayed to commence work immediately so the ship could get back to Stornoway before forecast bad weather set in. She arrived back around 2.30am, about 90 minutes after the Isle of Lewis.

 

 

 

 

 

Loch Seaforth’s fallen fan is teething problem

6 March 2015

While the Seaforth had the option of sailing with passengers and get repaired after arrival in Stornoway, it is often considered prudent to undertake repairs in a mainland port so any spare parts can arrive quicker and the ship returns to service much sooner.

 

Travellers were given meal vouchers and stayed onboard the berthed Loch Seaforth until the MV lsle of Lewis, arrived. They reached Stornoway around 1am.

 

A Cal Mac spokesman explained: “The MV Loch Seaforth is still going through a commissioning phase and is not in full service.

 

“This period is being used to put the ship through her paces and iron out any teething problems which may arise.

 

“The MV Isle of Lewis has been retained to provide cover in the event that these teething issues require her to be withdrawn from the route.

"Yesterday evening an issue arose with an engine room ventilation fan which required attention and an operational decision was taken to remove her from the route while it was fixed and the MV Isle of Lewis was deployed to maintain the service. While passengers were delayed, and we regret any inconvenience to them, no-one was 'stranded.'

"This was not a major issue but it required around five hours of work as the fan was in a difficult to reach location. Repairs were concluded by 11pm and she sailed from Ullapool about an hour later.

"We would not consider this to be a 'breakdown' as it was an operational decision not to sail, rather than one forced upon us by a mechanical issue which prevented her sailing.

"She is now back in Stornoway. Along with a number of other routes on the west coast, services between Stornoway and Ullapool have been cancelled today due to extreme weather conditions. This is entirely unconnected with the technical issue."