Ferry cancellations for South Uist continue as a series of defects rule MV Lord of the Isles out of action.
The port engine pitch control requires repair, the section of corroded steelwork needs to be renewed while a fault has knocked out her radar system.
The ship has yet to return to service since departing Liverpool last week from annual overhaul.
Prior to that the last non-disruption sailing on the route was 22 November.
Hopes to at least a one-way sailing were dashed this morning.
CalMac now flags up Thursday as the earliest date to return the vessel to service.
However, she cannot proceed to sea on a commercial voyage until seaworthy.
Sea trials to test out the engine will be required to be conducted in daylight after repair work is completed.
An ongoing issue with MV Lord of the Isles’ radar system restricts the vessel’s operations in hours of darkness until defective components are replaced.
If repairs and sea trials are successful an additional service may operate on Thursday 15th December. An update will be provided on Wednesday 14th December.
The vessel recently went though a steelwork inspection in Liverpool.
The ship is currently operating under a strict dispensation from maritime safety regulator, MCA, which permits daylight sailings only until her radar equipment is fixed.
South Uist ferry yet to return to service
13 December 2022
