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Barra ferry removed from service

19 July 2019

Further disruption is impacting the Castlebay -Oban ferry route after MV Isle of Lewis experienced a second serious breakdown within days.

The vessel is out of service for repairs.

She departed Castlebay at 3am on Friday to undergo repairs on the Clyde.

Passage times may be longer than normal to allow compliance with hours of rest requirements.

MV Clansman ran a relief voyage today, including a an overnight sailing from Barra with a 5am Saturday morning arrival in Oban.

An amended timetable will operate over the coming days.

Saturday’s 7.55am  sailing from Castlebay to Oban is cancelled.

Many travellers are being diverted via the Sound of Barra and the Lochboisdale - Mallaig route, operated by the smaller MV Lord of the Isles.

These sailings are only for vehicles and their customers who were booked on the Isle of Lewis sailings to/from Castlebay and who have been contacted by CalMac staff.

For passengers travelling to/from Barra, additional sailings will be provided on the Sound of Barra / Eriskay route to allow people to get to/from Lochboisdale.

A direct sailing by an alternative vessel will depart Oban at lunchtime. However, space is not guaranteed as the run will be operated using a smaller vessel and therefore is not able to accommodate all of the booked traffic.

Meanwhile, the evening departure from Mallaig to Lochboisdale is delayed by over three hours.

Disruption is very likely set to continue on Sunday. However, the Lochboisdale - Mallaig route is liable to disruption and possible cancellation on that day.