MV Pentalina completes Cal Mac berthing trials

MV Pentalina completes linkspan berthing trials

17 June 2021

MV Pentalina has completed a round of harbour trials for Cal Mac.

The ferry firm commissioned the privately owned 70-metre-long catamaran to test out her suitability particularly for the Mull and Arran routes.

She will not call in at Stornoway and Ullapool “due to time constraints.”

However, the vessel may test out the Stornoway route on another visit.

Cal Mac said it is still pursuing the proposed charter. A consultation process with the Arran and Mull communities is still ongoing.

However, it is too early to announce any decision over hiring the ship highlights the shipping company.

The Pentland Ferries’ ship carried out additional trials in the Inner Hebrides yesterday and will now return to her Orkney base.

Cal Mac is assessing the results of the principal trials which focused on the one-hour crossings between Ayrshire and Arran as well as Mull and Oban where the Pentalina would be placed if chartered.

If the linkspan docking tests are successful Cal Mac hope to have her in service possibly in July in the Inner Hebrides.

Cal Mac told Hebrides News they are looking at a “long term hire” if the vessel proves to be suitable.

This would provide a relief ferry on the west coast network to cover periods of fleet breakdowns and bad weather disruption.

Under a proposed time charter contract the catamaran would be leased for a set period of months with owners Pentland Ferries providing crew, maintenance and service operations. This means Cal Mac personnel will not work on the vessel.

Deploying the Pentalina could see the MV Isle of Mull designated as Cal Mac’s spare vessel . MV Isle of Arran would supplement relief requirements in winter.

The Pentalina is pencilled in for the busy Arran run for the rest of this summer to maintain a two-vessel service for the island under a Cal Mac proposal.

This winter she would switch to the Mull - Oban service under the plans, thus releasing the route’s main ferry, MV Isle of Mull, as a relief ship over the fleet’s drydock period. In turn, MV Isle of Mull may stand in for another vessel to cover Western Isles routes during the winter overhaul schedule.

Weather operating limits of 40 knot winds and four metre high waves means the Pentalina can handle rough conditions.

But she is not ideal for the Ullapool - Stornoway service given her limited vehicle deck space. She carries about the same number of cars as the constrained MV Isle of Arran. However, if hired, she would be available to relieve a larger vessel to provide cover on the Stornoway run if the MV Loch Seaforth was unavailable.

The Sound of Mull - which experiences less rough seas and lower wave heights in a gale forecast compared to the exposed Minch run - appears to be a suitable placement in winter. Her low superstructure provides a berthing advantage in strong winds.

Though a Ro-Ro ferry, the Pentalina’s single ended configuration means she does not have drive-through capability due to the absence of a bow door. Vehicles drive on and off at her stern while lorries have to reverse onboard.

Charter costs for the Pentalina would be underwritten by the Scottish Government through its ferry arm, Transport Scotland.

A Transport Scotland statement said: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting island communities and lifeline services by actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage.

“The MV Pentalina is undertaking berthing trials at a number of ports on the west coast to assist with assessing its potential suitability for these routes.

“Should the trials be completed successfully, Cal Mac will consult with relevant communities to discuss proposed timetables and deployment options and seek a commercial agreement with Pentland Ferries before deployment on the network.”

MV Pentalina has been carrying out Cal Mac berthing trials this week