Naming competition for 802 ferry ahead of planned launch

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is calling for the public’s help to decide the name for Hull 802, sister ship of Glen Sannox, both of which are under construction in Ferguson Marine.

Vessel 802 was originally destined to operate on the Skye triangle route as a direct replacement for MV Hebrides.

However, she will now join MV Glen Sannox as designated ships for the Isle of Arran on a year-round service.

The vessels they replace will provide greater resilience throughout the wider CalMac fleet

802’s launch is currently expected to take place by the end of the year, probably November or December.

A shortlist of names has been produced after consulting with islanders and local communities said CMAL. The names have ties to Scottish heritage and the landscape on Arran.

Anyone can vote for their favourite from the shortlist, and the most popular name will be given to Hull 802.

Voters will also be entered into a competition to win a free return journey on one of the ferries for four passengers and a car.

The shortlisted names are:

• Glen Cloy - A small valley on the east coast of Arran

• Glen Rosa - A glen near Goat Fell on Arran in the Firth of Clyde

• Claymore - The word 'claymore' comes from the Gaelic claidheamh mòr, meaning ‘great sword'

Anybody with an interest in the ferries is welcome to vote at this link: www.cmassets.co.uk/competition-launched-name-hull-802.

Voting is open until midnight on Wednesday 23rd August 2023.

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL said: “The two ferries, Glen Sannox and Hull 802, will be a welcome addition to our Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network - however Hull 802 is currently nameless.

“We know there’s a lot of interest in the dual fuel ferries, so we hope to see this translate into votes."

The 102-metre ferries will be able to operate on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine diesel. LNG is significantly cleaner and has been adopted by ferry operators in Northern Europe in response to tighter emissions regulations. The ships are designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs, or a combination of both.

Competition to name 802 ferry ahead of planned launch at Ferguson Marine

2 August 2023