Almost a third of CalMac's ferry fleet out of action

Almost a third of CalMac's ferry fleet is out of action due to technical faults and annual repairs, with the firm's boss warning it is struggling to maintain services.

MV Lord of the Isles became the latest large vessel out of action when it was pulled from the Oban-Barra route on Tuesday due to a problem with its starboard engine.

Six major vessels and four smaller ones are currently unable to sail, causing widespread disruption to west coast routes.

The operator's chief executive, Duncan Mackison, said the firm had been facing an "unprecedented scenario" which had now worsened.

Mackison said: "Almost a third of our entire fleet is unavailable for service, creating a set of circumstances where significant disruption on multiple routes served by major and small vessels is unavoidable.

"Though the situation appeared to be stabilising, emergent issues across major and small vessels means the unprecedented scenario we find ourselves in has worsened.

"Everyone at CalMac is acutely aware of the level of disruption many islands on our network have faced recently, and I apologise for that."

He added: "The full service impact of the current issues is being reviewed, and plans will be shared with island communities tomorrow."

MV Glen Sannox, has been hit by a series of faults since returning from an extended annual overhaul in Merseyside in March, the latest being a leak from a fuel pump.

It had returned to service last week after a repair to its exhaust system but was withdrawn again on Monday, affecting the busy Troon to Brodick route.

The chartered catamaran MV Alfred is expected back from overhaul and should be able to restore the Troon services on Wednesday.

CalMac has now abandoned plans to temporarily re-deploy Glen Sannox to the Western Isles routes and it will stay on the Arran service once it is fixed.

MV Lord of the Isles only returned at the weekend after problems with its main engine put it out of action last week.

However an "ongoing technical issue" with the ship's starboard main engine means an amended timetable - using the MV Isle of Mull - will run through to the end of Wednesday.

CalMac's west of Scotland network has been under sustained pressure in recent weeks, with many ferries under maintenance and others facing unplanned repairs.

The state-owned operator last month said it was facing a "critical" situation due to a shortage of vessels due to technical faults and planned maintenance.

CalMac has been forced to reposition multiple vessels on its island routes and said plans were "under constant review".

MAJOR VESSELS

• MV Glen Sannox - Out of service due to a fuel leak in the port engine, the latest in a series of issues since the vessel returned from overhaul.

• MV Lord of the Isles - Unable to sail due to issue with starboard main engine and will be relocated to the Clyde for investigation.

• MV Isle of Arran - CalMac has struggled to source a second replacement coupling for the bow thruster due to the vessel's age and "unique components". New parts may have to be manufactured.

• MV Isle of Lewis - Scheduled to complete annual overhaul over a month ago, however major steelwork corrosion identified and now not expected to return until the end of May.

• MV Hebrides - Remains in planned annual overhaul and is scheduled to return to service on 18 April.

• MV Alfred - Annual overhaul completed and vessel transiting to the Clyde, where it is due to arrive on Tuesday evening.

SMALL VESSELS

• MV Loch Bhrusda - Vessel being sent to Mallaig for repairs after issue with forward main engine reported. Due to return to service on 11 or 12 April.

• MV Loch Linnhe - Due to arrive at Ardmaleish yard for repairs to oil leak on Tuesday, with work due to be completed within 48 hours.

• MV Loch Portain - Planned annual overhaul and not due to return until 12 May.

• MV Loch Frisa - Annual overhaul undocking scheduled on Tuesday, but not due to return to service until 13 April due to planned additional work and checks.