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Initially the car ferry service from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland to
Rathlin was operated by CalMac under charter to the Northern Ireland
Office. The BRUERNISH
ventured south across the North Channel and took up the service in
December 1996. In the event the route was to pass into CalMac's sphere of
operations the following April.
Although BRUERNISH
had the capability of carrying up to 6 cars across on each sailing, this
facility was restricted to vehicles of islanders only, as on Iona in the
Western Isles. As a result the service was to remain a mainly passenger
orientated service.
The BRUERNISH
remained on the Irish crossing for only a few months. April 22nd 1997 saw
the new Rathlin ferry arrive in the form of her sister CANNA,
herself recently replaced on the Scalpay crossing by RHUM.
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Canna at Rathlin Island
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Since April 1997 the CANNA
has remained the dedicated Rathlin vessel and barring spells on the Clyde
for annual overhaul, she has not deviated from this crossing. On spells
off duty she is usually relieved by one of her sisters, either the BRUERNISH
or the last of her type, RAASAY.
The initial contract for the Rathlin service was for five years,
however given the success of the service, this was recently extended. The
success can be put down to mainly marketing efforts by CalMac. Leaflets
were produced with the sole aim of publicising the small island, and
coupled with special day sail prices, the tourists soon took up the offers
available.
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