Plans to restore Lochboisdale - Oban ferry sailings earlier than previously notified have stalled to a series of knock-on problems in the CalMac fleet.
On Thursday, Caledonian MacBrayne was four ships short causing disruption for different island communities in its network.
It also scuppered a contingency plan to reinstate the South Uist link.
MV Isle of Arran was been laid up for over a week with a Covid related crew shortage, preventing her from relieving MV Isle of Mull which was due to cover South Uist.
Then the Isle of Mull was pulled from service with a bow visor seal fault. Some of her crew have been temporarily reassigned to MV Isle of Arran, allowing her her to operate the Mull service.
When repairs are completed and if she has sufficient personnel, the Mull is expected to head to South Uist.
Designated relief, MV Hebridean Isles, is being retained as relief vessel for the island of Arran because a significant amount of thinning was discovered on the MV Caledonian Isles’ hull bottom while the ship was in drydock. Urgent work is being undertaken to cut out and replace the sections, delaying her return for another week.
MV Clansman is also away for her annual overhaul - the reason the Loti was removed from South Uist.
CalMac said alternative services for South Uist are available via Lochmaddy There is also a morning outbound connection - but no inbound - from Castlebay to Oban via the Sound of Barra route on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
South Uist ferry woes continue with two relief ferries out of action
27 January 2022
