CalMac’s latest addition to the fleet has yet to carry out a passenger sailing despite the increasing pressure on west coast ferry services.
MV Alfred is presently off hire from her CalMac charter for her owners to undertake repairs to her hydraulic systems.
The 84-
But she did not appear on her due start date of 18 April due to delays with her relief ship, MV Pentalina, on the Pentland Firth route receiving a safety certificate followed by a requirement of additional works.
And three weeks later the Alfred is still to turn a propeller on a CalMac voyage.
Thursday is day ten of her latest enforced absence, a suitable elapse of time for an update on progress to works on her hydraulic system.
That last minute hitch scuppered plans to deploy her on the increasingly busy Islay run.
CalMac is not paying for the vessel at the moment as she is not available for work in accordance to a clause within the charter agreement.
Since the beginning of this month the Alfred has been laid up in Troon harbour.
Docking tests at various Hebridean and Clyde ports went well though a minor adjustment to her stern loading ramp is required to achieve a better fit on a shoreside linkspans for whenever she enters CalMac service.
A Pentland Ferries spokesperson said: "After successful berthing trials, we are now conducting a service of hydraulic systems on the Alfred which means the vessel cannot yet enter service.
"During this period of downtime CalMac are making minor amendments to the stern door to ready the vessel for service.”
CalMac’s charter of MV Alfred in the doldrums, ferry remains off-
10 May 2023