Hebrides News

Six years later than planned the beleaguered MV Glen Sannox is finally to be put through her paces this week.

The ferry is getting ready to fire up her engines today (Tuesday) for a series of significant sea trials in the Firth of Clyde.

A second set of equally important trials are expected to be undertaken at a later date - next time it will be on behalf of CMAL, the Scottish Government agency which ordered the ship along with her sister, MV Glen Rosa, eight years ago.

CMAL has the right of refusal if it believes the vessel is not up to standard.

Delivery of the dual fuel vessel to CMAL and CalMac is already delayed again to late May following difficulties in getting specialist cooling pipe work for its onboard LNG gas fuel system.

MV Glen Sannox is likely to be accompanied by two tugs, one with a line attached in case of any mishaps, as she operates in the deep water and wider space beyond the Tail of the Bank sandbank.

Curious as it may sound, one of the exercises will hopefully see her come to a halt north of Greenock - successful dropping of anchors provides a level of assurance if an emergency stop is ever needed.  She will hang about that area on manoeuvres while also preparing for a run down to Cloch lighthouse.  

During these initial trials, the vessel will gather pace, slow down and stop many times. Her main onboard machinery will also be monitored.

Another earmarked location to carry out performance monitoring is between Skelmorlie and Great Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde.

The vessel is expected to return to her own berth at Port Glasgow at the end of each day’s trial.

Endurance tests - when Glen Sannox will operate at higher speeds for longer periods of time - will form part of a further trials programme scheduled for after her dry-docking in April.

In November, the vessel passed a week-long series of successful dock trials demonstrating the ship's propulsion, navigation, and communication capabilities. The ship received the seal of approval and sign-off from CMAL, and Lloyd's Register, the shipping classification organisation.

Both the Sannox and the Rosa should have been in service in 2018 on the lifeline ferry routes operated by CalMac, under the original contract between the Scottish Government and Ferguson Marine.  Building costs have regularly increased and are in excess of £300 million total compared to the original price tag of £97 million.  

Moment of truth arrives for MV Glen Sannox as long delayed ferry set to venture to sea under her own steam for first time

13 February 2024