| DATE |
NEWS |
| 31/07/06 |
Clyde:
Saturn is struggling today with the weather, having had to
come south as far as Clauchlands point to make her turn for Brodick.
She is estimated to reach Brodick around 1025.
Update:
Due to adverse weather conditions
the 1330 ex Ardrossan and 1545 ex Brodick Saturn sailings
have been cancelled.
(check external link above for updates)
Due to mechanical problems with Juno the following one vessel
service using Bute will operate until further notice on the
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay roster: |
Saturn @ Ardrossan This Morning
|
| |
1100 dep Rothesay
1215 dep Wemyss Bay
1300 dep Rothesay
1345 dep Wemyss Bay
1430 dep Rothesay
1515 dep Wemyss Bay
1600 dep Rothesay
1645 dep Wemyss Bay
1730 dep Rothesay
1815 dep Wemyss Bay
1900 dep Rothesay
1945 dep Wemyss Bay
Update:
Due to the late running of Bute, she is now sailing on the 2a
roster having just left Rothesay at 1645.
Update 1730:
Juno is now back in service alongside Bute for the
remainder of the day. |
| |
|
| 26/07/06 |
Clyde:
Having been relieved by Juno once more at Rothesay, Saturn
returned to her Arran duties this morning, arriving in Ardrossan at
1130 having taken a northerly route via Sannox as opposed to her
regular route closer to Holy Isle. |
| |
|
| 25/07/06 |
Clyde:
Saturn came off the Arran run after her arrival in
Ardrossan yesterday morning and then proceeded north to assume a
relief role on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay crossing. Juno
sailed up the Clyde to Gourock where she spent much of the day on
the Gourock - Dunoon roster while Jupiter lay at the wires
undergoing maintenance. With Jupiter back in service at 1920,
Juno then retired to the wires for work to be carried out. It
was expected the Juno would head back down to her own roster
by the end of today, with Saturn returning to the Ardrossan -
Brodick secondary timetable once more. |
| |
|
| 24/07/06 |
Northlink:
At 0915 this morning Shetland Coastguard received an
emergency call from Hamnavoe, undertaking her regular route
from Scrabster to Stromness on Orkney, alerting the marine emergency
services to a woman in her 40s who had gone overboard. The ferry
crew advised the Coastguard that their rescue boat was being lowered
into the water and that they would atempt to recover the casualty.
The woman was in the water for around 10 minutes before being
recovered and brought back aboard. |
| |
|
| 23/07/06 |
Clyde:
Juno is currently heading up river (1350) towards
Gourock. She sat in Wemyss Bay until Bute arrived and then
departed.
Update 1642:
She has now moved to Gourock and Switched off her AIS.
Update 1834:
Juno is now heading back to Rothesay, doing her usual 12.1
knots the problem appearing to be fixed.
It appears that due to a mechanical problem with Juno the
following service will operate:
15.15, 16.45, 18.15 and 19.45 sailings from Rothesay.
16.00, 17.30, 19.00 and 20.40 sailings from Wemyss Bay.
Saturn sailings from Ardrossan - Brodick will be
withdrawn until further notice after the 0715 sailing from Brodick
on Monday 24th July. This suggests either that Saturn too is
experiencing technical trouble, or that she may be returning north
to cover for Juno if required. We will keep you updated... |
| |
|
| 21/07/06 |
Past Fleet:
Her Majesty the Queen, currently on a cruise round the West Coast of
Scotland made a stop at Islay today. She went ashore at Port Ellen
after disembarking from her ship for the voyage - the ex CalMac
ferry Hebridean Princess. The picture opposite shows
the Queen and the Captain of the Hebridean Princess. |
The Queen Today @ Islay
|
| |
|
| 19/07/06 |
Clyde:
Saturn has just diverted to assist a bather on a lilo off
Ardrossan. Upon arrival a closer yacht had already picked up the
stranded youngster. Saturn then made her way to check three
other floating inflatables which have drifted out from the shore.
Her fast rescue craft was manned and made ready to go but wasn't
required. After the Troon lifeboat turned up she made off and is now
due to arrive in Ardrossan at c1710. |
Fast Craft on Saturn Today
|
| |
|
| 18/07/06 |
Clyde:
Largs - Cumbrae
services suspended this morning due to dense fog in the channel.
Update:
Services resumed at Largs after fog cleared at 1000.
Elsewhere the network is seeing dense fog too but no other
disruptions have been reported. Isle of Mull
made her way over to Craignure passing a almost invisible Duart
Castle. Foghorns were present in the Sound too. |
Duart Castle from IoM
|
| |
|
| 17/07/06 |
Clyde:
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay:
After resolving mechanical problems with Juno
all back to normal this morning. |
| |
|
| 16/07/06 |
Clyde:
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay:
Due to mechanical problems with Juno the
following sailings were cancelled:
1730 Rothesay-Wemyss Bay
1815 Wemyss Bay-Rothesay
1900 Rothesay-Wemyss Bay
1945 Wemyss Bay-Rothesay
Juno had to vacate the pier at 1800 to allow Waverley
to berth; she returned, very slowly, after the paddler had departed
and tied up for the night.
Alicat continued to provide relief support for the Glasgow
River Festival today shuttling visitors to the Science Centre from
Braehead.
See yesterdays news for more information on her charter. |
Alicat in Glasgow Today
Alicat Loads Passengers
|
| |
|
| 15/07/06 |
Clyde:
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay:
Due to mechanical problems with Juno the
following sailings were cancelled:
1600 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay
1645 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
1730 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay
1815 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Juno took the 1900 from Rothesay, leaving 40 minutes late,
and completed the timetable that evening with the 2110 ex Rothesay
and 2200 ex Wemyss Bay.
Bute arrived in Wemyss Bay at 1730 with many foot passengers
disembarking; there were several hundred pedestrians queuing at
Rothesay when the Bute arrived, some may have been left behind when
she departed at around 1830. |
| |
Alicat has been chartered to ferry passengers from Braehead
up to Glasgow north bank today and tomorrow for the Glasgow River
Festival. Clyde Marines Second Snark was supposed to perform
this duty but was unavailable due to technical difficulties. It has
been many years since a CalMac flag (as Alicat is a chartered
boat) has been seen this far up the river. |
Alicat Returns from Glasgow
|
| |
|
| 14/07/06 |
Clyde:
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay:
Due to mechanical problems with Juno the
following sailings were cancelled:
0930 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay
1015 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay |
| |
|
| 11/07/06 |
Clyde:
On this day last year,
Bute maid her fist
sailing on the
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
roster. Berthing cautiously at both sides it was also the hottest
day for a decade in the area.
Saturn also made
her first trip south to Ardrossan to test out the berth for her new
role as second Brodick ferry a year ago today. |
| |
|
| 08/07/06 |
Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles was 6 minuets late departing Port Ellen this
morning. The reason for her delay was due to a HGV's brakes becoming
jammed on. Crew and Staff eventually managed to get the lorry off
the vessel. She eventually departed at 0951.
Clyde:
Ardrossan - Brodick:
Due to adverse weather
the following sailings on
Saturn
only are cancelled:
1830 ex Ardrossan Tonight.
1030 ex Brodick Tomorrow (Sunday
9th July)
There are no disruptions on the Caledonian Isles.
(check external link above for updates) |
Hebridean Isles Today
|
| |
|
| 06/07/06 |
Company News:
New Contract Awarded for Northern Isles Service (external link)
Following the announcement a few months ago that CalMac was the
preferred bidder to take over the Orkney and Shetland routes,
NorthLink Ferries Ltd has been formed and today completed the
handover of the package of routes. See the external link above and
also click
here for information on the official CalMac site. |
Hjaltland Departing Lerwick
at 1850 this Evening
|
| |
|
| 05/07/06 |
Western Isles:
Delays are being experienced on the Oban - Craignure service again
today. Isle of Mull was 20 minutes late back in from
Craignure, arriving at 1405 and then leaving again just after 1425.
This delayed Hebridean Isles which has just berthed at the
linkspan at 1430. Lord of the Isles, due in at 1420 is also
running late, having arrived in Oban Bay at 1445 and is now awaiting
the linkspan. It is thought that the Mull delays are caused partly by the
busy 1000 sailing from Oban. Prior to sailing, the Isle of Mull
sits at Oban for 30 minutes and loads large numbers of foot
passengers. Once at Craignure, she has only 15 minutes to discharge
these and reload the returning passengers, although in today's case,
this was compounded by the temporary breakdown of the Oban
passenger gangway and foot passengers were, for a while, having to
board via the linkspan and the stern ramp. |
| |
|
| 03/07/06 |
Clyde:
Both Cumbrae vessels Loch Alainn and Loch
Riddon had to share Cumbrae slip at 1600 this afternoon. Loch
Alainn had a touring coach stuck on her vehicle ramp and the
crew made arrangements to free it.
Saturn sailed from Brodick this morning at 0730 looking like
she's keeping to her roster after her recent absence.
Company News:
New Chairman for CalMac Appointed (external link)
The appointment of Caledonian MacBrayne's new chairman has been
announced by the Scottish Executive. Peter Timms, 62,
currently a board member, will be replacing Harold Mills, who is
stepping down on 31 July. Mr Timms, a member of the Argyll and the
Islands Enterprise board, will remain in the post for three years.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said that the appointment would help
the company through its current restructuring process.
Speaking during a visit to Benbecula, he added: "CalMac
has a crucial role in providing lifeline ferry services to island
and remote mainland communities in the Clyde and Hebrides. "This
appointment, coupled with the experience and skills of the current
board members will help the company through the current difficult
process of restructuring. "I am delighted that Peter Timms has
agreed to accept the challenge and lead CalMac for a three-year
term." He said Mr Timms' skills and knowledge would benefit
passengers and businesses, as well as taking CalMac forward in the
next stage of its development. "The post requires continued strong
leadership, an understanding of the issues which affect the social
and economic life of the Highlands and Islands and a clear vision of
the future," Mr Scott added. Mr Timms lives on Bute and is currently
chairman and managing director of Rothesay Company, Flexible
Technology Limited. He was first appointed to the CalMac Board in
July 2000 and re-appointed in July 2003. |
| |
|
| 01/07/06 |
Clyde:
Juno was late running for some of the
afternoon but gained time progressively and got back onto schedule
by the evening. Bute on the other hand kept getting later
during the day and is reportedly back to her creeping up to piers
cautiously.
CalMac at Brodick confirmed Saturn will be operating
today. At the moment there are no other details as to weather she
will be operating a normal timetable or not.
Update 0920:
Saturn is currently on her way over to Ardrossan (Arran).
Update 1035:
Saturn left Brodick at approx 1033 while Caledonian Isles
canted in the bay awaiting her smaller counterparts departure. |
Juno Passing Cloch Today
|
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|
Past News Logs: |
| Click
HERE to see the past fleet news logs |
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