Stornoway’s second ferry returning to service after repairs
2 August 2021
Stornoway’s temporary freight ferry is returning to duty.
MV Arrow withdrew from service after less than a week, completing just five return runs when damage was sustained to propeller seals.
She will arrive in Stornoway today (Monday) after completing repairs in drydock.
However, MV Loch Seaforth’s third passenger run tonight is cancelled with Cal Mac trying to make alternative travel arrangements for people with pre-booked tickets.
The 123-metre-long Arrow is chartered from Seatruck to operate extra haulage sailings on the Stornoway service.
An oil leak developed when a creel rope or other marine debris became pulled into a propeller shaft seal.
Repairs were impossible while the vessel was in service. She was despatched for remedial action at the Harland and Wolff base in Belfast.
Cal Mac arranged the freight charter to boost capacity on the Ullapool route, by freeing up MV Loch Seaforth to operate extra passenger runs during the peak summer season.
