CalMac has run out of ships to maintain the required service on the Skye triangle route.
Ferry sailings beyond noon on Saturday are cancelled for both Lochmaddy and Tarbert.
No timescale has been provided for resuming a confirmed service, leaving the community in limbo.
After reducing the Lochboisdale link to a once-
Her last sailings include an extra run from Lochmaddy on Friday night.
Changes on Saturday sees the Hebrides operating a return crossing between Uig and Harris followed by a voyage to Lochmaddy. All other sailings on the route that day are cancelled. No departure will take place from North Uist.
No confirmed ferry service plan for Uist exists beyond Saturday morning -
Under the previous version of the contingency schedule, MV Clansman was due to take over the link this weekend.
But she has been plagued with engine problems this year, ruling her out of action, while there does not seem to be any further leeway to again push back the Hebrides dry docking even by a few days.
MV Hebrides needs to come off station on Saturday though she will work up until the very last minute before heading off to the Cammell Laird yard on the River Mersey for a Sunday lunchtime arrival.
The MV Hebrides will sail empty and cannot carry traffic to the mainland enroute as she departs with nearly the minimum time for passage to the Mersey and is are restricted by tides at the drydock said CalMac.
CalMac said, for Lochmaddy, the only alternative is to travel on MV Isle of Lewis to or from Castlebay and over the Sound of Barra.
Online bookings are not available for additional sailings operating on the Sound of Barra which were put in place to provide daily connections in both directions for disrupted Uist traffic.
Long or heavy vehicles may not be able to travel across the Sound of Barra
Disrupted Harris passengers could travel on MV Loch Seaforth via Ullapool and Stornoway said CalMac.
CalMac said: “We are currently working on plans for service from Sunday 23rd April.
“Information regarding sailings from this date will be provided on the afternoon of Wednesday 19th April.
“Port teams are presently working through disrupted booked traffic to allocate space, prioritising freight to ensure that the island supply chain is maintained as much as possible.”
CalMac runs out of ships for Skye triangle, Uist risks being cut off this weekend
17 April 2023
