CalMac’s chartered vessel, MV Alfred, will be deployed to the Skye triangle service on a temporary basis next week.
The Alfred will cover for MV Clansman which was meant to act as relief vessel on the Lochmaddy and Tarbert links from this weekend. However, the Clansman is the latest CalMac ship to be held back in drydock for extended repairs.
MV Alfred will serve Uig, Lochmaddy and Tarbert in Harris between Monday 12 and Friday 16 February allowing MV Hebrides to head off for her annual overhaul.
The Alfred is booked in for her own dry dock at Birkenhead at the end of next week.
Provided no further unexpected defects emerge, at current estimations, MV Clansman is due out of drydock to pick up the Skye triangle run a week Friday (16 February).
However, the redeployment of the Alfred reduces even further the ferry service for the island of Arran. Their regular vessel, MV Caledonian Isles, has been hit with a lengthy stay in drydock after extensive repair work was found to be required. An update on the progress of this work will be communicated on 19 February.
Robbie Drummond, CalMac’s chief executive, said: “MV Alfred has been a valuable addition
to the CalMac fleet and provided much-
“The primary focus for the use of MV Alfred is as an additional vessel available for resilience purposes and to provide relief across the network, including Little Minch services, while other vessels are not in service.
“Recent berthing trials confirmed which ports she can operate out of and plans for her next deployment following her planned annual overhaul will soon begin.”
CalMac chartered ship, MV Alfred, to pick up Skye triangle route after latest drydock delay
8 February 2024