CalMac’s chartered ship, MV Alfred, has been repaired and will be ready to commence duty tomorrow (Friday).
The vessel has been off hire and unable to operate relief ferry sailings on the west coast network since the beginning of the month.
She was scheduled to undertake Islay relief sailings but her owners, Pentland Ferries, took her off charter to undertake hydraulic system repairs.
The 84-
The Alfred will now commence passenger sailings with CalMac, initially for the Isle of Arran which should have a two-
As her deployment is focused on resilience, onboard catering facilities will not be provided.
Berthing trials show ports suitable for MV Alfred are Lochmaddy, Ullapool, Port Askaig, Brodick, Ardrossan (Irish berth only), Troon and Campbeltown.
However, due to a technical issue with the vessel’s starboard thruster, she is currently unable to be deployed to Port Askaig on Islay. Her owner, Pentland Ferries, continue to work on mitigations to resolve this.
More extensive ramp modifications are required for Troon and Campbeltown deployment so that restrictions on traffic types can be removed. CalMac is currently assessing the scope of works required and the timelines for delivery.
In the interim, if MV Alfred was deployed at Troon or Campbeltown, traffic would be restricted on these routes to commercial only.
The deployment of MV Alfred will continue to be reviewed, said CalMac, based on the wider network needs and she may be redeployed if there are issues with service delivery elsewhere in the west coast ferry network.
Robbie Drummond, Chief Executive of CalMac, said: “We very much welcome the introduction into service of MV Alfred and the resilience that she will offer. Her addition should mitigate the impact of disruption or when certain islands are reduced to single vessel service.
“The main route to and from Arran has been operating with one vessel for some time, so the addition of MV Alfred will provide much-
MV Alfred now ready to come back on charter says CalMac
11 May 2023
