Loch Seaforth to shadow present ferries

Following the meeting of the Stornoway-Ullapool Taskforce set up by Transport Minister Derek Mackay last week, senior managers at ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) have been refining their plans for services during the Ullapool linkspan works and deployment of the MV Loch Seaforth.

Cal Mac managing director Martin Dorchester said: “The delay to the completion of MV Loch Seaforth and the subsequent delays to the Stornoway Harbour works have been immensely frustrating for everyone and especially for CalMac, as operator of the MV Loch Seaforth, as we had fully expected that by this stage she would have been operating for more than six months and any teething problems or operational challenges would have been well and truly ironed out.”

He added: “As it is she has still to be properly tested on this route, and although we have been using this time as productively as possible with further commissioning, crew familiarisation and induction trials, experience with other new vessels shows that the real test of her capabilities can only begin in earnest when she has entered service.

Loch Seaforth to shadow present ferries before entering full service

20 January 2015

“Some time has been saved by this work but everyone should be aware that when she does enter service it will be on a phased basis, shadowing the MV Isle of Lewis until we are absolutely satisfied that all is well.

Hebrides News understands the MV Clipper Ranger, will continue freight runs for a period and be shadowed by the Loch Seaforth.

Martin Dorchester stressed the present ferry, MV Isle of Lewis, will also be retained on the route as a back-up once she does fully enter service. She could also provide additional capacity, if required.

He continued: “With regard to the ongoing concerns about her capacity we can only reiterate what we said in March last year that our own audited figures show that the pinch points are focused on peak sailings at the height of the season, and that there is ample capacity at other times.

“In addition the new ship is larger and there is scope for switching some traffic to the overnight sailings, so we are confident that we can cope with the expected demand.”

If the demand is there then Cal Mac will look at “other options” though this would require further consultation especially if additional funding was required.

► Target date for MV Loch Seaforth service