| 29/04/05 |
We have been told that Lord of the Isles was off duty yesterday
because of bow-thrust problems. She returned to service ready for the
1700 sailing to Colonsay this afternoon. Isle of Arran has now
finished relieving Clansman and sailed at 0500 this morning for
Lochboisdale and Castlebay, in lieu of yesterday's missed sailings due
to the weather conditions. She returned to Oban during the afternoon and
handed over service to the repaired Lord of the Isles.
Clansman is now back in service and running as per her roster,
having been to Coll and Tiree this morning and going out to Castlebay
this afternoon. Isle of Mull spent last night at Craignure as
there was no berth for her at Oban. |
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|
| 28/04/05 |
Clansman appears to have returned to Oban yesterday still out of
service. She was this morning missing from Oban once again. Strong winds
have led to suspensions of the following services: Oban - Tiree - Barra,
Clansman was unable to berth at Tiree and is returning to Oban, Ardmhor
(Barra) - Eriskay suspended for the rest of the day, Kennacraig - Islay
cancelled with the situation to be reviewed at 1500, no sailing to Muck
today, Fionnphort - Iona and Tobermory - Kilchoan services suspended
until further notice, Sound of Harris lunchtime sailings cancelled,
Tayinloan - Gigha, Tarbert - Portavadie and Lochranza - Claonaig
sailings all suspended until further notice.
Update: The Mallaig
- Armadale service has now been suspended as well.
It looks like there may be a problem with Lord of the Isles. She moved over to the North Pier and was tied
up, out of service. Oban webcam then showed Calmac crew in high-viz
yellow jackets inspecting the port side of the vessel.
Isle of Arran was spotted entering Oban
Bay at around 1440 and we assumed she would be going to the berth,
however she has since vanished and we are not sure what, if anything, is
taking the 1510 to Lochboisdale.
17:00 Update: Clansman
entered the bay and unloaded her missed Tiree sailing traffic and has
since departed. (Her whereabouts were not known but she was back at the
Railway Pier by 1915.)
Further Update: Isle of Arran returned to the pier
shortly after 1620 and has just left the linkspan to sit out of the way
in the middle of the bay as Isle of Mull returned from Craignure.
She was back at the linkspan by 1805 and subsequently loaded with
traffic for a slightly delayed 1800 to Craignure, passing a slow-moving
Isle of Mull and also Clansman returning to Oban. It is
also reported that some of the crew of Lord of the Isles were
taken off to crew Isle of Arran.
Meanwhile, the next batch of cancellations include: the Sconser - Raasay
1700/1730 return sailing from Raasay and the remaining sailings on the
Lochaline - Fishnish route. |
Isle of Arran sighted canting in Oban Bay today
at 14:40. |
|
Clansman departs (far left) with Lord of the
Isles berthed (right). |
|
Arran cants while Mull arrives. |
|
|
| 27/04/05 |
Clansman looks to have sailed from Oban, destination unknown, possibly
back in service although Isle of Arran appears to be still in Oban
having recently done a Coll / Tiree roster. H.M. Customs & Excise cutter
Sentinel is at Oban North Pier now. Bruernish was on the
Lismore run as normal timetable today. No indication to what's happening
on the Tobermory-Kilchoan crossing with the absence of a vessel but it is
probable that the Loch Linnhe has returned from relief duties at
Raasay to
resume her summer timetable. Eigg is at her Oban berth. |
Clansman in a Grey Oban Today. |
|
Update: Clansman appears to be now berthed at Craignure
possibly for a few days to recover from her recent status. |
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|
|
NorthLink:
Passenger Figures Keep Climbing for
NorthLink
Read More (external link) |
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| ss |
ss |
| 26/04/05 |
The Clyde... |
|
Loch Ranza is slipped at Ardmaleish. Juno was reported at the wires this AM. Eigg
has now entered the Clyde estuary on her way to JWD for repairs. Also,
Juno has returned to the Dunoon run. At around 15:00 Isle of
Cumbrae responded to a mayday rescue of 3(?) sailors from a upturned
dinghy 1 mile NE of Tarbert harbour. They launched their fast rescue boat
and escorted the sailors into harbour. The coastguard thanked the Captain
and his crew for all their efforts. |
|
Western Isles... |
|
Isle of Arran was
reported on the Dunoon run this morning but appears now to be in Oban near
the linkspan having arrived at around 16:00 hours. Correction to earlier
report: Isle of Arran was berthing stern in at Gourock and not
Dunoon. Clansman is
in Oban currently and appears to be inoperable. Isle of Arran seems
to have been sent to cover for her. More updates to follow... |
|
|
|
Crossing News:
CalMac urges passengers travelling to the Bute Jazz festival to use the
Colintraive ferry if possible to help relieve strain on the two main Bute
ferries. |
|
|
| 25/04/05 |
The Clyde... |
|
Isle of Arran has taken over the Dunoon run today, reason unknown,
starting with the 1620 ex Gourock She is berthing bow-in at Dunoon and
stern-in at Dunoon. The streaker, Juno, is sitting at the wires It
is unsure how passengers are being loaded at Dunoon. Loch Striven
has just left Ardmaleish Slip and is on her way to [presumably] Raasay
where she can replace Loch Linnhe which will in turn allow Bruernish to take over the Lismore run. Loch
Ranza is expected to arrive tomorrow, so work can get started on her.
Services are continuing with Isle of Arran on the Dunoon roster,
and Juno at the wires. |
|
Western Isles... |
|
The 1645 ex Oban and 1745 ex Lismore ran
today, using Bruernish as a relief vessel. Service during these
times only runs on a Tuesday and Friday. I is assumed that the 1600 and
1800 ex Tobermory and 1645 and 1845 ex Kilchoan did not run to allow this
to take place. This crossing could be solely to allow service vehicles and
/ or stranded vehicles to move, or could be a temporary occurrence,
however, there is no confirmation as of yet. Also, Eigg has not yet
returned to Oban from her venture south. |
|
|
| 24/04/05 |
Isle of Arran continues to keep us guessing, she is now back at the
wires at Gourock. Loch Striven still on the slip at Ardmaleish –
not sure what is happening there. Loch Riddon is at Gigha, covering
for Loch Ranza, which is due to be slipped once Loch Striven
is launched. Loch Ranza is currently sitting at the outside berth
at Largs. No more additional news of Eigg today. |
Loch Ranza at Largs with Loch Alainn
behind (Photo: Mary Neill) |
|
|
| 23/04/05 |
Eigg has left Oban en route to JWD for repairs with engine
problems. This means there is currently no Vehicle ferry to Lismore until
Bruernish is free to move south from Tobermory.
Raasay is now at the wires (Gourock). Loch Striven is
confirmed to be at Ardmaleish. Isle of Arran has now moved
back to Rothesay. Reason unknown but possibly more berthing trials or
overspill for some event. |
|
|
| 22/04/05 |
The Clyde... |
|
Isle of Arran returned for yet more berthing trials at Wemyss Bay
today, but berthing bow in before returning to the wires at Gourock. It
appears her berthing trials are over. Raasay is heading up to,
presumably, Gourock, and, at time of reporting (approx 2030), has passed
Wemyss Bay terminal. |
|
Western Isles... |
|
There was no Lismore Service today. Eigg is currently out of action
at Oban. As previously thought Bruernish is NOT on Lismore run.
Passengers only are currently having to go via the Port Appin - Lismore
ferry. |
|
|
| 21/04/05 |
The Clyde... |
|
Isle of Arran was doing berthing trials at
Wemyss Bay, possibly for the upcoming Jazz festival and moved to Rothesay,
where she is now berthed. Isle of Cumbrae arrived at Tarbert this
evening, from Rothesay. The Isle of Cumbrae is due to take over
Portavadie service from 08:00 tomorrow, thus freeing up Loch Riddon
to depart Tarbert in the morning for Gigha, to relieve Loch Ranza
that is coming back to the Clyde to be slipped at Ardmaleish to have a
Voith unit repair carried out. We believe Loch Striven is now
slipped at Ardmaleish, Bute - we will try and confirm this in the morning.
Once Loch Striven is repaired we beleive she is to head back to
Raasay and allow the Loch Ranza use of the slipway at Ardmaleish. |
|
Western Isles... |
|
This morning's 0900 Oban - Tiree - Barra sailing did not sail, as a result
of engine problems (reportedly a cracked cylinder lining) on the Clansman. Barra traffic was rescheduled
onto the 1510 sailing to Lochboisdale on Lord of the Isles this
afternoon. After unloading at Lochboisdale, she will then make an
additional crossing to Castlebay before picking up her roster with the
0900 sailing from Lochboisdale to Oban tomorrow. It is hoped that Tiree
traffic will be carried on a special extra sailing this evening, if the Clansman
is fixed. See Calmac's disruptions link above for up-to-date details.
There was no Lismore service until 1045 ex Oban today, all other sailings
(0845 ex Oban and 0945 ex Lismore) were cancelled. |
|
|
| 20/04/05 |
Loch Striven is due at the Ardmaleish boat yard tomorrow morning to
receive attention to her recent fault. The 16:45 from Oban to Lismore did
not run, neither did the 17:45 ex Lismore service. Reason unknown, but
following the deployment of Bruernish on the run recently it
appears Eigg may be having technical difficulties. It is unclear
what, if any vessel is currently on the Lismore run due to the fact that
Bruernish has had to make a move for emergency service at Tobermory
to cover for Loch Linnhe. |
|
|
| 19/04/05 |
Loch Riddon is at Tarbert to cover for Isle of Cumbrae who
has been slip'ed at Ardmaleish to get a leak fixed. There also appears to
be problems with either the Coruisk or Loch Nevis at
Mallaig as due to technical problems a sailing has been cancelled.
Sailings now seem to have resumed at Mallaig. |
|
|
| 18/04/05 |
Loch Striven has gone to Stornoway for repairs following problems
over the last couple of days. Loch Linnhe has sailed north to
Raasay to cover the timetable there and Bruernish has sailed up the
Sound of Mull to cover on the Tobermory - Kilchoan crossing until the Loch
Striven has been repaired and the vessels can return to their normal
duties. |
|
|
| 17/04/05 |
Bruernish was deployed on the Lismore service today. Reason
unknown. Lord of the Isles abandoned her call to Coll / Tiree due
to adverse weather conditions today and headed back to Oban. Loch
Striven appears to be having technical difficulties at Sconser. |
|
|
| 15/04/05 |
Raasay is reportedly currently lying at the old naval pier at
Fairlie. She was assumed to be either at Largs, Rothesay or Gourock to
tie-up as Clyde small vessel. |
|
|
| 11/04/05 |
Service Disruption: Lochaline -
Fishnish Service. Due to slipway
damage and low tides, the 14:25 from Lochaline and the 14:50 from Fishnish
sailings have been cancelled today. |
|
|
|
Eigg was unusually using the large
vessel linkspan in Oban this morning to unload her traffic from Lismore.
The linkspan was reportedly touching the water as she withdrew from the
berth. No indications why this was although it could be tide related
making large / low vehicles exit / entrance difficult at the slipway.
Saturn was having mechanical problem this morning. As a consequence
the 06:30 ex-Rothesay and 07:15 ex-Wemyss Bay sailings were cancelled, but
normal service were resumed after the 080:0 sailing ex-Rothesay. |
|
|
| 10/04/05 |
One of the Island Class Vessels (either Raasay or Bruernish)
is currently lying in Largs marina. Its is assumed it is Raasay as she was
last sighted on the move. Confirmed reports to follow. Update 18:00:
Confirmed Island Class at Largs is Raasay recently arrived from
Oban. |
|
|
| 09/04/05 |
Low tide related disruption: Caledonian Isles' 6pm sailing from
Ardrossan on this evening couldn't berth at Brodick due to a lack of water
at the pier. Caledonian Isles cruised Brodick Bay for a short while
before berthing successfully at the second attempt. Later sailings ran 30
minutes late. First time I can recall this happening in 13 years of
travelling to and from Arran comments a SoC reporter. |
|
|
| 08/04/05 |
Loch Alainn has this morning left Millport Pier bound for Largs to
pick up her duties on the 10:15 run out of Largs. She spent last night at
the pier due to high winds and another low tide. The Stornoway ferry has
been cancelled all day again, like yesterday due to high winds. Raasay
has just passed Clansman off Craignure heading for Oban 15:21.
Loch Fyne is subject to disruption due to low tides and her first
sailing should be 14:25. There also seems to be some heavy congestion at
Oban at the moment with Isle of Mull using the Linkspan with
Clansman circling near the Bay entrance. She in turn was followed by
the Lord of the Isles who hung around nearer Lismore waiting for
Clansman to emerge again. Isle of Arran was sighted inbound up
the Clyde heading for Gourock around 14:00. |
|
|
|
NorthLink: Both Today's 06:30
(Stromness - Scrabster) and 08:45 (Scrabster - Stromness) have also been
cancelled. Hrossey only departed Hatston at 07:45 this morning and
is expected to arrive in Lerwick at 13:30. The adverse weather did not
affect the South bound Hjaltland due to the following sea. |
|
|
| 07/04/05 |
Due to high winds and rough seas, the following sailings were cancelled,
Mallaig-Armadale, Ullapool-Stornoway, Tarbert-Portavadie and the Small
Isles. The following services are back on, Oban-Mull, Lochranza-Claonaig,
Lochaline-Fishnish. Certain sailings have been cancelled on the
Lochaline-Fishnish and the Sound of Harris due to low tides, contact local
offices for more information on these sailings. The Clansman had to
proceed from Tiree to Barra via the Cairns of Coll rather than Gunna Sound
due to the rough weather, this has delayed her by approx 2 hours. The Isle
of Arran spent last night at Colonsay, and possibly tonight as well
and then she is due to return to the Wires. Isle of Lewis braved
the Minch in the high winds only to turn back after safety was put first.
Muirneag is not expected to make her overnight freight run. |
Recent Storm Damage to Eriskay Breakwater. |
|
|
|
NorthLink: Due to the strong North
winds over the last few days there have been serious disruptions to
Northlink's services. Hamnavoe made a Stromness - Scrabster sailing
this Morning, however she returned from Scrabster without any paying
passengers or cargo. She then made no further sailings. |
|
|
| 06/04/05 |
The port of Eriskay has been reported to have major structural damage to
the breakwater after the storms last January. The winds were reported to
reach 130mph, no wonder it was damaged. Photo's to come soon as Dave
returns from his trip north. Lord of the Isles has returned to
service after completing repairs to a continuing fault to her stabilisers.
She replaced Isle of Arran this afternoon after the Arran
arrived in from Barra. Lord of the Isles taking the Port Askaig run
this evening. Isle of Arran then moved to the fuel berth to prepare
for her return to the clyde. She may stick around at Craignure to make
sure the stabiliser fault doesn't re-surface on the Lord of the Isles.
Isle of Arran relieved loti from Sunday until Today, I was
very fortunate to be returning to Oban from Tiree on Sunday, and was able
to travel on the Arran. This vessel re-deployment shows the great
capability the fleet has to cover when a breakdown occurs, with minimal
disruption to the timetable.
Clansman was sighted in the sound of mull on route to barra on
Sunday with her new windows in her bridge. These help to make her bridge
look more balanced, and help the skipper have better visibility while
berthing. They have been lengthened on her bridge wings only. |
Isle of Arran arriving at Tiree.
Clansman in the Sound of Mull. |
|
|
| 03/04/05 |
Loch Tarbert is at the Largs outside berth out of service still
following her recent technical problems. Loch Riddon is
covering at Lochranza. Isle of Arran is thought to be covering for
Lord of the Isles at Oban (Update: arrived at 17:25). Eigg is back at Oban after her
stint on charter at Islay. Lord of the Isles was sighted this
morning at the railway pier in Oban out of service resulting in the
Isle of Arran going out to Tiree. Lord of the Isles was later
noted at 16:10 making her way 'light' out past Kerrera towards Craignure.
More updates to follow as and when. |
|
|
| 02/04/05 |
Once again the Lochranza - Claonaig service is off until further notice.
This is due to mechanical problems again. |
|
|
| 01/04/05 |
Due to mechanical problems with the Loch Tarbert, sailings between
Lochranza and Claonaig have been suspended until further notice. Check
with the link above for further updates.
Update: It would appear that sailings have now been resumed on the
Kilbrannan Sound crossing (time 1350) |
|
|
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