Cal Mac is making some significant fleet improvements during this year’s dry docking maintenance programme.
Every year each of the company’s 34 vessels, ranging from the 8,600 tonne MV Loch Seaforth, to the 11 tonne MV Carvoria, all have to have a period of maintenance to ensure continuing seaworthiness.
This presents the company with a complex logistical problem to keep all of its lifeline services running with minimal disruption.
The company’s operations director, Robert Morrison, said: “Organising time for each vessel to enter dry dock while keeping services running is a real challenge for us that requires detailed planning. When the weather is taken into account this can be real test keeping communities connected.
“Above and beyond the normal bow to stern servicing to ensure they are fit for another year’s service, there are some major projects planned this year to improve comfort and resilience on a range of vessels.”
MV Loch Seaforth is having a further 40 internal seats fitted.
Improved fast rescue craft and cranes are being added to MV Hebrides and MV Isle of Lewis. Both vessels are also receiving new disabled bathroom and changing facilities.
The passenger lifts onboard MV Hebrides, MV Isle of Arran, MV Isle of Mull and MV Lord of the Isles are to be upgraded to improve reliability.
MV Lochinvar and MV Lord of the Isles are having lighting upgrades with fluorescent tubing being replaced by LED lighting
Improved CCTV systems will be fitted on MV Caledonian Isles, MV Loch Shira, MV Isle of Mull and MV Coruisk to assist in ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew.
There are also a number of upgrades to improve fleet resilience.MV Loch Portain is to have an upgraded pitch control and steering system.
The hydraulic control gear for the bow visors on MV Clansman and MV Hebrides are being upgraded and navigation radar upgrades are taking place on MV Argyll Flyer, MV Caledonian Isles, MV Lochnevis, MV Loch Tarbert and MV Lord of the Isles.
A new set of stabiliser control equipment is also being fitted to MV Hebrides.
This year’s dry dock schedule was planned with public consultation to minimise disruption to communities where possible.
Mr Morrison said: “While we recognise the annual overhaul replacement vessel deployments might not fully meet the aspirations of communities served, we are tightly constrained by the availability of vessels and need to work within the resources we have available.
“Where we can we try to provide as seamless a service as possible during this period, matching suitable vessels to cover routes to keep inconvenience to a minimum. We appreciate the travelling public’s patience during this time.”
Ferries to be upgraded during dry dock
24 August 2020
