FLEET NEWS |
Main
January Fleet News |
 |
NEWS DESK... 
News Reporters
Join Fleet News in 2005 |
Live Disruption Updates From:
Caledonian
MacBrayne (external link)
NorthLink Ferries (external link) |
REPORT NEWS: 
via Email
via Text Message |
| |
| DATE |
NEWS
|
| 30/01/05 |
It is anticipated that
the Loch Bhrusda will remain in Oban for roughly 10 days while she
undergoes her maintenance. |
| |
|
| 29/01/05 |
Loch Alainn arrived back at
Largs today after her annual overhaul at Troon. Loch Bhrusda arrived
in Oban for maintenance work and is currently berthed alongside the North
Pier. Loch Linnhe is currently back on relief duties on the Eriskay
crossing and will remain as such until the regular ferry returns.
Meanwhile Loch Bhrusda will sail soon for Berneray in order to
relieve Loch Portain. |
Loch Bhrusda at Oban today. |
| |
|
| 28/01/05 |
There may have been a possible
problem with the Hebrides today. She was berthed stern first at
Tarbert this morning. It was reported that a lorry was reversing onto her
which could indicate a problem with her bow doors / visor. |
| |
Some interesting reports recently
have suggested that Saturn will be deployed on a secondary Arran
crossing upon arrival of the new Bute. It seems due to her additional
deck strength over her near sisters and the fact she is a slightly better
sea boat she may be used to carry freight to and from the Clyde's largest
island. Its possible she would be rostered on overnight sailings from
Brodick on Arran and Wemyss Bay on the Clyde thus bringing freight closer to
the capital of Scotland and distribution centres, it would also mean that
the Caledonian Isles wouldn't have to shift berths to allow her into
Ardrossan. This would also free up additional car space on day time
crossings. More information and updates as and when they happen... |
Oban Terminal Today Showing Progress in
Construction, see the Links Page for Oban Webcam. |
| |
|
| 27/01/05 |
The CalMac terminal in Oban will be without power between the approximate
hours of 0930 and 1530 today. Tickets can be purchased onboard the Isle of
Mull and Clansman. For updates click the CalMac link above. |
|
We have received reports that the
new MV Bute is to be launched at the Remontowa shipyard in Poland
on February 9th. This will be the first vessel to be launched sideways
since Hebridean Isles back in 1985. The 'Buteman' reports that
Calmac are looking into the possibility of setting up a webcam arrangement
for the launch. More details as we receive them. |
| |
|
| 26/01/05 |
Saturn entered James Watt
Dock at 11:00 today for her annual overhaul. |
| |
Hebridean Isles has settled into her
NorthLink relief duties. She departed Stromness at 16:30 to
arrive in Scrabster at 18:30. Her next scheduled sailing will depart
Scrabster at 19:00 to arrive in Stromness at 21:00. A new Pentland Firth
timetable will come into effect with the return of Hamnavoe from
drydock on Friday 4th February. |
| |
Loch Class Update: |
| |
Loch Alainn is due for sea trials tomorrow at
Troon. Isle of Cumbrae is also due on sea trials now scheduled for
Friday at Rothesay, if all goes well with Loch Alainn tomorrow.
Loch Ranza arrived back at Gigha yesterday afternoon which freed up the
Loch Linnhe to proceed to Oban for a overnight berth. Loch Linnhe
should arrive in Barra later tonight after
departing Oban around midday today. She will relieve the Loch Bhrusda
for maintenance and allow her to sail to Oban for further engine works.
After which she will go to sound of Harris to relieve Loch Portain
for annual overhaul on the Clyde. |
| |
|
| 25/01/05 |
Coruisk is now at Rothesay
for the Bute run as Saturn arrived at Gourock today at 13.15
coinciding with Juno's Arrival. After discharging her passengers and
vehicles, Juno moved to the 'wires' and Saturn took up the
13.20 sailing to Dunoon. The two ships changed over again for the 14.20.
Presumably then Saturn departed for Garvel Dry Dock, Gourock and her
annual overhaul. |
| |
Lord of the Isles is
reported to be in Canada Dock, Liverpool tonight for her annual overhaul. |
| |
|
24/01/05
Disruption: |
Largs - Cumbrae service notice:
Due to mechanical difficulties, Loch Tarbert is unable to sail, the service
has been temporarily suspended. For updates click the CalMac link above.
Update: They hope to make a 12:30 sailing from Cumbrae. Further
Update: Loch Ranza was later carrying out the Cumbrae crossing
but she herself was delayed at Cumbrae Slip this afternoon after suffering
a failure in her ramp hydraulics. Passengers were unable to disembark
until repairs had been carried out and the ramp was able to be lowered.
Presumably Loch Linnhe is covering at Gigha??? |
| |
|
| |
Hebridean Isles is using
the old P&O ferry berth at Scrabster for her stay as the gangway at
Stromness apparently doesn't fit. Passengers are being escorted along the
pier. She has a NorthLink master on as pilot Hamnavoe left soon after
her 2030 arrival last night. |
| |
|
| 23/01/05 |
Hebridean Isles arrived in
Scrabster this afternoon for a quick berthing trial before sailing across
the Pentland Firth to Stromness where she arrived at 17:00. She will be
relieving for the Hamnavoe while the latter is away in Denmark for
her annual overhaul. Isle of Arran is covering the Islay routes
while the regular vessel is away and will take up service with a 15:45
sailing from Stromness to Scrabster. Following completion of repairs and
relief duties, Isle of Mull and Clansman respectively are
back in service on their normal routes to Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and
the Outer Isles. |
|
Coruisk was out for a run
today and was seen in the Toward area before heading back to Gourock. It
is expected that she will take over the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay route from Saturn
on Tuesday early afternoon. |
|
|
| 22/01/05 |
Lord of the Isles is
currently on Mull roster with Isle of Mull still at the railway pier.
Clansman noted inbound in Sound of Mull at 1400. No sign of Isle
of Arran who is due to relieve Hebridean Isles at Kennacraig soon
to allow her to go to Orkney to cover for NorthLink vessel Hamnavoe. |
| |
It is possible Isle of Cumbrae
is due to re-launch on Tuesday, having been out of the water recently at
Ardmaleish Boatyard, Bute. |
| |
|
| 21/01/05 |
Isle of Mull has been
sighted outbound passing Gourock this morning at 09:25. She was later
sighted (approx 10:30) 'playing' in Loch Long before heading back down the
Firth at 10:55. At 11:15 she is currently awaiting the Dunoon boat to depart
before loading crew cars at Gourock. Isle of Mull later arrived in
Oban approximately 22:00 and berthed at the railway pier secondary berth. Caledonian Isles has
also been sighted outbound passing Gourock at about 10:30 this morning. She
was reported to have swapped with Clansman on the Arran roster around
15:30. |
CI and IoM at Gourock Today in a Historic Photo
- The half sisters have only met together once before. |
| |
|
| 20/01/05 |
Caledonian Isles is due
back at Ardrossan sometime tomorrow (Friday 21st January). This will allow
the Clansman, who is currently covering on the Arran crossing, to
head back up to Oban and help with Isle of Arran and Lord of the
Isles set up at the moment. Lord of the Isles is expected at
Birkenhead on Monday 24th January for overhaul. |
| |
|
| 19/05/05 |
You can now watch the LIVE
positions of NorthLink Ferries near Aberdeen via a Free Subscription to
AIS Live. |
| |
|
18/01/05
Disruptions: |
As the gales return we are advised
of multiple disruptions. The 0820 ex Brodick was diverted to Gourock, with
a bus departing Ardrossan to transport foot passengers to the ferry.
Today's 0900 and 1400 sailings from Berneray to Leverburgh, and the return
crossings at 1010 and 1510 will not be running. The captain of Hebridean
Isles advised that this morning's sailing to Port Ellen was diverted
to Port Askaig. The morning sailing from Rathlin to Ballycastle was
cancelled, with a decision due this afternoon as to whether the later
sailing will run. The 1530 sailing rom Oban to Castlebay and Lochboisdale
is cancelled and finally (for now) the Small Isles will not be seeing the
ferry today. |
|
|
| 17/01/05 |
Researchers at Southampton and Highlands & the
Isles universities believe last week's severe storms would become more
frequent and stronger in future. During the storms, the ferry network were
severely disrupted with many routes not running. They are calling for bigger
ferries to combat the problem of cancelled sailings due to high waves.
More story at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4180365.stm |
Loch Alainn in Garvel (Troon) Dry Dock Today.
Brian Climie |
| |
|
| 15/01/05 |
Coruisk was unable to get
into Wemyss Bay this morning, she is now heading up to Gourock to berth.
Eslewhere, the Sconser - Raasay service has been suspended until further
notice. Check with Calmac or local ports for further details. This
afternoon Coruisk was unable to perform her 1515 sailing from
Rothesay due a high tide at Wemyss Bay. She left the Bute pier to lie in
Rothesay Bay but had to return to offload a passenger who had failed to
disembark upon her arrival from Wemyss Bay. |
| |
For information and pictures of
Muirneag at present, visit
Larne Ferry Web. |
| |
|
| 12/01/05 |
Again, appalling weather
conditions have meant that all but one Hebridean Isles sailing to
Islay and one Clansman sailing to Arran (from Gourock) were
cancelled. This included ALL CalMac and NorthLink
sailings. |
| |
|
| 11/01/05 |
We have reports that Loch
Alainn apparently made her way to Ardrossan on Sunday. She tied up at
berth 7. It is possible she may have been heading for Troon overhaul but
today's Clydesite has discussion about no facilities at Troon. We will
update as and when we receive any additional information. Update:
Loch Alainn was on her way for annual overhaul to the dry-dock at Troon
(now operated by Garvel).
Due to bad weather and a large wave hitting the bridge she had to seek
shelter at Ardrossan. She has now however arrived in Troon and is
dry-docked. Muirneag is due to be dry docked at Birkenhead,
Liverpool for inspection any any repairs needed after her slight grounding
yesterday. She is reported to be there for Friday. |
| |
|
|
Disruptions: |
For the first time in many many
years, the entire CalMac network has been shut down due to the appalling weather
conditions hampering operations on the west coast of Scotland... |
Clansman battling the weather trying to make it
from Gourock to Ardrossan this morning. |
| |
| Most of the fleet stations assessed the
weather this morning and a few ventured out but most stayed tied up for
passenger safety. |
| |
| |
Due to continuing severe weather conditions
across Scotland there are multiple major disruptions and cancellations to
ferry services on the Clyde and Western Isles. For full details click here. |
| |
|
|
NorthLink: Cancellations
Affecting All Routes.
Hjaltland arrived in Lerwick at 07:30. Her 19:00 from Lerwick to
Aberdeen has been cancelled for safety reasons. The scheduled
departure from Lerwick to Hatston (Kirkwall) and Aberdeen on Wednesday 12th
January is currently under review. The next scheduled departure from
Kirkwall (Hatston), the 23:45 sailing to Aberdeen on Wednesday 12th January
is currently under review. Hamnavoe arrived Stromness at
13:30. The 16:30 sailing from Stromness and the 19:00 sailing from
Scrabster tonight have been cancelled. The 03:45 sailing from Stromness and
the 06:00 sailing from Scrabster on Wednesday 12th January have also been
cancelled. All other sailings on Wednesday 12th January are under
review. Further information will be available at 07:30 on 12th January.
Hrossey arrived in Aberdeen at 06:45. Due to forecast adverse
weather conditions, and in the interests of passenger comfort and safety,
the scheduled 19:00 sailing of Hrossey from Aberdeen to Lerwick has
been cancelled. The scheduled 19:00 departure from Aberdeen to Lerwick on
Wednesday 12th January is currently under review. |
| |
|
| 10/01/05 |
Muirneag ran aground this
morning at 04.30 but the high tide floated her off about an hour later
according to Isles FM. Coastguard say there is no apparent damage but she
will be inspected before she leaves again. Apparently she had gone out and
was turning back owing to bad weather when she went aground just outside
the harbour. It is possible she won't sail for the next two nights due to
her touching rocks. Any more info we receive we will update this page. |
|
Disruptions: |
Ardrossan-Brodick Service:
Please be advised that the 0820 sailing from Brodick will be diverted to
Gourock. All passengers intending to travel to Brodick to be at Gourock
for 1015. The 1105 sailing from Brodick and the 1230 sailing from
Ardrossan have been cancelled. |
| |
Sound of Harris Service: Due to
technical problems the 0915 sailing from Berneray and the 1025 sailing from
Leverburgh have been cancelled. For updated on these situations, please use
the link to CalMac above. |
| |
NorthLink: Cancellations affecting
Pentland Firth Route: Due to the
adverse weather forecast and in the interests of passenger comfort and
safety the 09:00 sailing from Stromness and the 12:00 sailing from Scrabster
have both been cancelled. The 16:30 sailing from Stromness will be reviewed
at 12:00. |
| |
|
| 09/10/05 |
Isle of Arran
could not make her call at Barra due to the severe gales in the Minch once
again. |
| |
|
08/01/05
Disruptions: |
Due to the ongoing
storm over the northern half of the UK the following disruptions are in
effect. Today's 0645 service to Coll and Tiree was cancelled. The Tarbert
- Portavadie service is suspended until further notice, the 0820 sailing
from Brodick was diverted to Gourock, with the 1350 sailing from Arran and
return then being cancelled. The Fionnphort - Iona service has been
suspended until further notice, as has the Tayinloan - Gigha service. Due
to tidal conditions the 1515 sailing from Rothesay and 1600 from Wemyss
Bay have had to be cancelled. The 1630 from Rothesay and 1730 from Wemyss
Bay were then cancelled due to the adverse weather. Today's Small Isles
sailing has been cancelled, as have the 1500 from Rathlin and 1600 from
Ballycastle. The lunchtime sailing from Tarbert - Lochranza and return was
cancelled, as is the 1500 ex Tobermory and 1545 ex Kilchoan. The Sound of
Barra crossing at 1710 from Ardmhor and return from Eriskay, as well as
the 1330 from Berneray and 1440 from Leverburgh on the Sound of Harris
service are all cancelled due to severe weather in the Outer Hebrides, and
tonight's 1745 sailing from Lochaline, returning from Fishnish at 1810
will not be running.
A revised timetable will be in operation tomorrow (Sunday) for MV Hebrides'
sailings: 0730 Tarbert - Uig, 0930 Uig - Lochmaddy, 1200 Lochmaddy - Uig
and finally 1400 Uig - Lochmaddy - Tarbert. |
| |
|
| |
NorthLink: Due to adverse weather conditions
the arrival time of Hjaltland into Hatston may be delayed upto an
hour. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brenda
Corlett (ex Pioneer) alongside in Gibraltar This Morning - Pictures By
Daniel Ferro |
|
|
| Other News: |
P&O Irish Sea's European
Highlander has run aground at Cairnryan in the very heavy winds
affecting the West Coast of Scotland and North East England at the moment.
She is expected to be pulled off by tugs later tomorrow morning. Her fleet
mate is currently operating the crossing to Ireland solo. |
| |
|
| 07/01/05 |
Brenda Corlett (ex Pioneer)
is now confirmed to be alongside in Gibraltar. There is a current
Webcam focused on her, she is just visible on the right. The Port of
Gibraltar has her listed as the following: Arrival: 03 Jan: 10:33
Flag: BLZ To: CAPE VERDE Purpose: Bunkers;
Stores; Water Call Sign: V3XM |
Brenda Corlett alongside in Gibraltar |
| Coruisk has just appeared
at Wemyss Bay (12:30) from Gourock seemingly light. Juno has also just
arrived there fully loaded and appears to be heading to Rothesay. |
| |
Muirneag has
been in Stornoway all day while Isle of Lewis trying to catch up
on lost time from yesterday. She left Ullapool at 05:30 this morning after
being storm-bound there last night therefore running late all day. Isle
of Arran eventually made it into Castlebay on Barra this afternoon
after the extremely bad weather had made the crossing to the other isle
unreachable for a few days. As far as we are aware the stricken cargo
vessel that is currently seeking refuge in Castlebay after her cargo
shifted in the winds is not affecting berthing at the ferry terminal. |
|
Disruption: |
Coruisk
will depart from Rothesay at (08.45) sailing to Gourock due to tidal conditions
at Wemyss Bay. The (09.30) and (11.00) departing Wemyss Bay and the (10.10)
and (11.45) departing Rothesay have been cancelled. For further information
please contact local Caledonian MacBrayne port or use the above weblink. |
| |
|
| 06/01/05 |
Lord
of the Isles has been operating on the Oban - Craignure Roster while
the Isle of Arran is operating the Tiree crossing. However bad weather
again seems to be hampering operations. |
Isle of Mull's Slight Bow Damage |
| Isle of Mull is moving from James Watt
Dock to Inchgreen repair quay for repairs to bow door area, Repairs to be
carried out by North West Ship Repairers from Birkenhead. Garvel dry-dock
is full at the moment resulting in her move. To repair the damaged bow
area they have constructed scaffolding to give them a platform to carry
out the repairs. |
| |
|
05/01/05
Disruptions: |
Today's sailings to
Rathlin Island, Iona, Gigha, Eriskay, Portavadie, Lochranza and Lochaline
have been cancelled until further notice. Please contact local offices for
information on sailings. The Lochnevis's sailing to Muck and Eigg
have been cancelled. The 0845 sailing from Oban to Lismore had to return
to Oban, the next scheduled sailing to Lismore is at 1445, depending on
weather conditions. The 0915 sailing from Berneray and the 1020 sailing
from Leverburgh were cancelled. The rest of today's sailings may be
disrupted.
Coruisk and Juno are currently at Gourock after being
diverted from Rothesay. Sailings depending on weather. Coruisk
being used due to her having stabilizers for better passenger comfort. She
is due at Rothesay at 1300 for a return run to Gourock, weather
permitting! The Isle
of Lewis's sailing to Stornoway from Ullapool has been cancelled until
further notice. The Hebrides sailings from Harris to Uig and Uig
to Lochmaddy have been cancelled until further notice. For further
information on any of Caledonian MacBrayne's sailings today, please
contact the local port or see www.calmac.co.uk |
| |
Isle of Cumbrae
left Rothesay this afternoon and has gone to Ardmaleish for her annual
overhaul. |
| Updates: |
Caledonian Isles and Coruisk
continue to use Gourock as there base for sailings today as the weather in
the firth continues to be very choppy. Caledonian Isles has
reportedly just left Brodick (13:40) to join fleet mate Isle of Mull
in Garvel Dry Dock, Gourock and her annual overhaul. Clansman has
also been reported leaving at 13.50 for Gourock. Coruisk will
depart Rothesay for Gourock at 15.45 - this will be last sailing off the
day for that route. |
Caledonian Isles leaving Gourock Today |
| Updates: |
Clansman
has just been seen off Rothesay at 1530 inbound to Gourock, from Brodick.
She has relieved Caledonian Isles on the Arran Run. Juno
has now been seen sailing back down to Rothesay. Coruisk has also
been seen sailing back up to Gourock. Caledonian Isles is
currently lying at the mouth of Loch Long (16:00) waiting to berth at
Gourock, Clansman
must be berthing first. |
Clansman sailing up to Gourock, off W' Bay
|
| Updates: |
Isle of Lewis is making
her run back to Stornoway at her usual time 17:30. Hebrides is
expected to do her run to Uig tomorrow morning. |
| |
Isle
of Arran has again been operating on the Mull run and did not make Colonsay
due to bad weather. Lord of the Isles lay alongside North Pier in
Oban all day, so presumably she did not do Tiree or Barra. Again due to
weather and heavy SW gales. |
| |
NorthLink:
Due to the adverse weather conditions, and in the interests of passenger
comfort and safety, the 16.30 sailing from Stromness and the 19.00 sailing
from Scrabster on 05.01.2005 and the 03:45 from Stromness and 06:00 from
Scrabster on 06.01.2005 have been cancelled. Please note that the 09:00
sailing from Stromness on 06.01.2005 is under review. Further updates on
this sailing will be available from 07:30 |
| |
|
04/01/05
Disruption: |
This
morning's 0820 sailing from Brodick and the return from Ardrossan at 0945
were cancelled due to high winds preventing Caledonian Isles
approaching Ardrossan. High winds also saw Lochnevis stormbound at
Mallaig all day, unable to carry out either Armadale sailing or her run to
the Small Isles. The Tarbert - Portavadie service was suspended until
further notice, as were sailings between Berneray and Leverburgh on the Loch Portain.
The Loch Bhrusda's 1710 to Eriskay and 1815 to Ardmhor have also
been cancelled. |
| |
NorthLink:
Due to adverse weather conditions and in
the interest of passenger comfort and safety the 16:30 sailing from Stromness
and the 19:00 sailing from Scrabster on Tuesday 4th January and the 03:45
sailing from Stromness and 06:00 from Scrabster on Wednesday 5th January
have been cancelled. Also due to the adverse weather forecast the 09:00
sailing from Stromness and the 12:00 sailing from Scrabster on Wednesday
5th January are under review. A further update will be available at 07:30
on 5th January from NorthLink. |
| |
|
| 03/01/05 |
Loch
Tarbert arrived in Oban at 2pm today, berthing well round the Railway
pier where the fishing fleet normally occupy. She is on her way back to
the Clyde after annual relief duties. |
| |
|
| |
Brenda
Corlett (formally Pioneer) appears to have departed Gibraltar
for Africa. Updates to follow. |
| |
Update:
Apologies for the earlier confusion. We have just received news from
Gibraltar confirming that Brenda Corlett left the east anchorage
this morning and sailed into the port (of Gibraltar) at about 10:30. She
is due to be in port for reportedly docking. This will include more stores
and bunkers for her next leg of her voyage to Africa. She may also be
receiving structural upgrades and modification to allow her to operate in
her new role as a warm climate car ferry. |
| |
|
| 02/01/05 |
NorthLink
has confirmed its schedule for the dry-docking of its passenger ferry
fleet for annual maintenance in Denmark.
Hamnavoe will be out of service from Monday 24 January until Thursday
3 February, with Hebridean Isles, on charter from Caledonian MacBrayne,
standing-in to operate the Stromness-Scrabster route during this time.
Hrossey will depart for dry dock on Sunday 20 February, returning
to service on or around Tuesday 1 March, with Hjaltland proceeding
to Denmark on her return. Hjaltland is scheduled to be in
dry dock for eight days and normal service is expected to be resumed by
Thursday 10 March.
Between Sunday 20 February and Wednesday 9 March, therefore, the
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick route will be served by one vessel only,
which will travel north one day and south the next. The company’s
freight service will be increased during this time to ensure daily cargo
operations continue throughout the dry dock period.
Passengers already booked to travel on sailings affected by the dry dock
schedule will be contacted by the company to allow transfer or refund
of reservations.
For full details on the Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen service please see
www.northlinkferries.co.uk |
| |
|
| |
Jupiter
assumed the role of Dunoon ferry, taking over from Juno this
morning. Juno was then sighted heading down to Wemyss Bay to take
over from Saturn, which then sailed to Gourock and took over the
Dunoon service from 1820. Elsewhere, in the Western Isles the Clansman
was operating the Oban - Craignure sailings while Isle of Arran
took the afternoon sailing out to Castlebay and Lochboisdale. Lord of the
Isles spent the day lying at Oban's Railway Pier. |
| |
|
| |
Pioneer Update:
Brenda Corlett arrived around 11:00am today at Gibraltar and
is currently awaiting a berth at the port. Her next step will be the west
coast of Africa. |
Enlarge
Image (© AIS
Live) |
| |
|
|
Disruption: |
Gourock
- Dunoon service: Due to technical
problems, today's sailings between Gourock and Dunoon are cancelled until
further notice. For further information please contact local CalMac port.
www.calmac.co.uk
Update: Sailings now resumed from 11:20 |
| |
|
| 01/01/05 |
Isle
of Mull is reported to now be in James Watt Dock following her
incident with Lord of the Isles. No indications on how long she
will be there are available as of yet. |
| |
|
Past News Logs: |
| Click
HERE to see the past fleet news logs |
SoC
HOME 
