No spare ship available as MV Hebrides breaks down

No spare ship available to cover for MV Hebrides breakdown

25 March 2023

A breakdown of MV Hebrides on the North Uist run has highlight CalMac’s lack of spare ships.

Two CalMac vessels which could have covered today’s outage are also out of action.

A third ship which could have assisted clear a backlog of traffic on a detour link is not available for charter.

Today’s (Saturday) sailings on the Lochmaddy - Ullapool route were cancelled as a result of an engine fault.

Sunday’s timetable also faces potential disruption if the technical issue is not fixed successfully.

CalMac pledged to provide an update on Sunday regarding the Lochmaddy service.

The Hebrides - which is overdue a three week dry-docking - remains at Lochmaddy while her engineers carry out repairs.

Today’s disruption has created a backlog of vehicles waiting to cross the Minch.

Uist-bound traffic booked on tomorrow’s sailing from Ullapool will now be sent through Oban and Lochboisdale. MV Isle of Mull is due to depart Oban at 1pm on Sunday.

MV Hebrides’ breakdown occurs as two other major vessels in the fleet are out of commission reducing ferry services across a number of busy ports.

One ship which could potentially have assisted in today’s saga, MV Hebridean Isles, failed to return to service on Thursday following what Hebrides News understands to be an engine issue which emerged on sea trials following her annual overhaul on the Mersey. She is laid-up in Liverpool awaiting a return to drydock for further repairs.

MV Clansman is also dogged with engine related troubles and has yet to resume sailings with CalMac. She should have relieved the Hebrides for overhaul weeks ago but is back, yet again, in Glasgow for repairs.

In addition, charter vessel, MV Arrow, which could have eased the pressure on the Stornoway - Ullapool service left Lewis on Tuesday and is back operating freight runs for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. She is not presently available for hire.