CalMac extends essential timetable

CalMac has announced that the current essential services timetable for some routes introduced to cope with Covid-related staff absence has been extended for a further two weeks, until at least 6 February.

The increasing number of crew on vessels and staff in ports either testing positive, self-isolating or waiting for PCR test results has meant that CalMac is unable to operate to full capacity at the current time.

The majority of Western Isles schedules are not affected at present.

However, the South Uist ferry service is impacted with sailings cancelled from tomorrow until further notice.

In addition, ticket offices at Stornoway, Ullapool, Uig, Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale, Castlebay, Mallaig are closed to the public for part of the day though are open around sailing times.

Latest figures show that 203 members of staff are unavailable because of Covid, which is an increase of over 50 staff absent in the past three weeks.

On 3 January, the total number of sailings was reduced by around 15% when a temporary timetable was introduced across most of the network to allow CalMac to focus resources on maintaining lifeline services.

Maritime law sets out a legal requirement that ferries must not operate without a minimum number of crew on board.

Positive cases on a vessel means that replacement crew must be sourced, which may result in sailings being cancelled if they cannot be found in time.

Robbie Drummond, CalMac’s managing director, said: “We fully appreciate the difficulties these changes will cause for some of our customers, and we apologise for any disruption to their journeys over the next few weeks. I am very grateful for their continued patience and understanding at a time of intense pressure.

“We will continue to review the temporary timetable on an ongoing basis and will add services back in as soon as we possibly can, however a return to a full service will require a significant reduction in the level of staff absence.

“In the meantime, we will continue to operate as flexibly as possible to ensure we restore sailings where and when we can.

“All services, irrespective of timetable or service change, are subject to change, cancellation, or interruption at very short notice. We would ask all customers to check service status before commencing their journey to ports, but sailings may be cancelled right up to the point of departure.

CalMac under pressure from crew shortages

17 January 2022