CalMac finally allows passengers to book ferry travel for last week of summer timetable

CalMac has announced that the final week of the summer timetable 2023 will be released in two phases.

Unexplained steering and manoeuvrability problems affecting key vessel, MV Hebridean Isles, has ruled her out of action until the autumn at least. She will not operate the remainder of the summer timetable.

CalMac said the last seven days of the summer season will open for reservations in two phases so it can manage the extended absence of MV Hebridean Isles, move a “considerable number” of bookings, and deal with the complexities around temporary port closures.

Phase one - covering 16-22 October - will be available to book from 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday).

Phase two will be released on Wednesday 23 August.

Phase two timetables require additional amendments due to routes affected by changes to overhaul plans and the continuing investigations into the issues affecting MV Hebridean Isles.

Most timetables will operate as normal. However, some services have been amended to support drydocking plans, and some will be affected by the continued unavailability of MV Hebridean Isles - as further repairs to the vessel are investigated.

Pauline Blackshaw, director of operational planning for CalMac, said: "We apologise for the delay in publishing the final week of the summer timetable. We required extra time to finalise vessel deployment to ensure the best service possible for communities when our scheduled annual overhaul season begins.

“The majority of timetables will operate as normal however, some services have been amended to support the delivery of the overhaul plan. Unfortunately, MV Hebridean Isles will not be available for the remainder of the summer timetable while we continue to investigate further repairs.”

Ferry services and changes:

Campbeltown

The Ardrossan-Campbeltown service has not - and will not - operate at all this year.

Arran

MV Caledonian Isles and MV Alfred will continue to operate the Ardrossan-Brodick service until 25 September. Then MV Caledonian Isles will operate on a single vessel service as is normal at this point in the year.

Islay

Due to MV Hebridean Isles being unavailable for service MV Isle of Arran will remain on Islay service alongside MV Finlaggan until 24 September. A single vessel service, delivered by MV Finlaggan, will operate from 25 September when MV Isle of Arran departs for overhaul. Details will be available from Wednesday 23 August for customers who wish to travel during this period.

In addition, the ferry service to and from Port Ellen will be diverted to Port Askaig between 11 September and 17 November during ground investigations for planned berth and terminal improvements.

Colonsay

Due to a single vessel service operating on the Islay route from 25 September - 22 October, there will be cancellations on Colonsay service on 27 Sept, 30 Sept, 4 Oct, 7 Oct, 11 Oct, 14 Oct, 18 Oct.

Mallaig-Armadale

A single vessel service will operate on 20,21 and 22 October with MV Loch Fyne while MV Coruisk is deployed to the Clyde after the last sailing on Thursday 19 October.

Mallaig-Small Isles

On 7, 14 and 21 October a charter vessel will operate this service, while MV Loch Fyne is deployed elsewhere on the network.

Oban-Craignure

MV Loch Frisa will operate a single vessel service from 19 October.

Oban-Castlebay

MV Isle of Mull will operate the service between Castlebay-Oban from 20 October.

Stornoway-Ullapool

MV Isle of Lewis will operate the passenger service from 7am on 21 October. MV Loch Seaforth will depart for overhaul after freight service on 21 October.

Stornoway-Ullapool freight service

As MV Hebridean Isles will not be available to support freight service during MV Loch Seaforth’s overhaul. CalMac says options are being explored for amended vessel deployment to provide freight service.

CalMac finally allows passengers to book ferries for last week of summer timetable amid ship failure and harbour outages

15 August 2023

MV Hebridean Isles is not allowed to operate