CalMac sizing up MV Alfred’s potential deployment in Western Isles

CalMac continues to assess the feasibility of chartered catamaran, MV Alfred, undertaking sailings in the Western Isles.

The vessel was ruled out earlier this week for the Stornoway - Ullapool service.

Trials have now been undertaken to evaluate deployment of the ship on a potential Tarbert - Lochmaddy sailing if the Sound the Harris route is hit by outages again it is understood.

And if severe weather impacts Ullapool sailings - including Uig pier closure detours - as emerging forecasts suggest may occur towards the end of next week, then the Alfred may be considered as an option to clear traffic backlogs to either Tarbert or Lochmaddy, depending on the results of berthing trials and deployment decisions.

However, the ferry is also in demand to support services to other island communities on the Clyde and west coast.

MV Alfred tried out linkspans at Lochmaddy and Tarbert for size on Wednesday.

The 85-metre-long ship - hired from Pentland Ferries at a cost of £1 million a month - will sail northwards to berth overnight in Stornoway while CalMac operation managers finalise her immediate deployment arrangements.

A decision is expected to be revealed on Friday which coincides with updated forecasts on the development of two Atlantic low pressure weather systems set to bring strong winds between now and next weekend.

For the coming six weeks the longer Skye triangle run will not be available as an alternative route between Lewis/ Harris and Uist as Uig pier in Skye is out of bounds for construction works and the Tarbert service is cancelled.

MV Hebrides will operate a daily North Uist to Ullapool return sailing, missing out Harris.

Lochmaddy was previously tested by MV Alfred in April but a second berthing trial was instructed as pier dimensions have altered following improvement works.

A sizeable amount of inter-island trade depend upon the Leverburgh - Berneray link with many essential goods and services transported in a north to south direction for Uist and Barra.

Over the past month, a series of mass cancellations caused by a significant engine fault on MV Loch Portain resulted in severe delays in the delivery of vital supplies even with traffic being shipped via Lochmaddy/Uig/Tarbert.

This week has witnessed a reprieve to the disruptions thanks to a period of good weather.

Under a legal dispensation, the Loch Portain is only permit to sail in reasonable sea and weather conditions meantime. So, if the wind blows up, the Portain doesn’t move, leaving the smaller capacity back-up ship, MV Loch Bhrusda, unable to fulfil demand.

An ongoing issue with the Loch Portain means it can only operate on three out of four engines, and it is not able to run to its normal weather limitations. This means that in typical autumn winds, the service is at risk of disruption or cancellation.

Meanwhile, Stornoway - Ullapool freight sailings will be covered by MV Hebridean Isles during MV Loch Seaforth’s absence.

CalMac sizing up MV Alfred’s potential deployment in Western Isles

26 October 2023