On many occasions over the last ten months CalMac feared MV Hebridean Isles, a vital lifeline ferry, would never again see service with the shipping company.
Withdrawing the ship for good was a live issue following a serious of failures during an extensive repair period.
Despite pessimism about the chances, one final push was instructed in August.
Now, the key vessel has made a return to service
Final cost for repairs is around £2.5 million and the work involved a large number of specialists in Scotland and Norway.
CalMac said this comeback, which at times in the process looked increasingly unlikely, “showcases” the tremendous effort and investment made to restore her seaworthiness and reintegrate her into the fleet.
The decision to proceed with the repairs and explore every option to return the vessel to service “demonstrates CalMac's commitment to exhaust every available option” within its fleet, added the shipping firm.
Hebrides News has regularly revealed details along the various stages of repairs including installing different propeller sets as well as engineering work on shafts.
Six initial attempts were made to address issues with the controllable pitch propeller system -
The final option saw the tailshaft and pull push rod removed from the vessel and sent to a specialist machining company in Denmark.
Fortunately, this was successful and MV Hebridean Isles has now carried its first passengers and freight for nearly ten months, supporting the Islay route during the weekend and into the week ahead.
The final stages of redeployment will see MV Hebridean Isles continue to support the network in extended passenger and freight trials over the coming weeks, before going for her annual maintenance, which was delayed during dry dock due to the large investment required at a time it looked unlikely that she would re-
She will then be redeployed to support delivery of CalMac’s winter timetable.
Robbie Drummond, chief executive, CalMac said: “Our commitment to serving island communities relies on the availability and reliability of our fleet, and losing the large vessel, MV Hebridean Isles, from service by retiring her early would have had a significant impact on our capacity to serve communities with the ferry links they deserve.
"Our maintenance costs have soared in recent years and investment has never been higher as we await six major and 10 smaller vessels coming into service.
“Thanks to the large number of partners who have supported our work to bring MV Hebridean Isles, and the work of our world-
£2.5 million repairs saved CalMac’s MV Hebridean Isles from the axe
20 October 2023
