|
DATE |
NEWS |
|
30/07/09 |
Western Isles:
On Tuesday 02/10/09 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are to carry out a Lifeboat exercise onboard the
Loch
Portain. All her relief crew and standard crew are taking part. The exercise is the same that happens when a vessel is finished being built
and is ready for trials to meet MCA / Coastguard / Lloyds regulations. The plan is to deploy a COSALT Liferaft (the inflatable ones in the circular
plastic capsuals) and to "simulate" an abandon ship into one. After the exercise when the MCA have been satisfied, COSALT
will remove the
liferaft and take it away to be repackage and refit it to the Loch Portain. |
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|
28/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Raasay is once again back at Corpach. She called into Oban
between 1730 and 1800 last night. It is unclear what she is doing there at
present.There is the
following alteration to Clansman's
timetable today to accommodate livestock traffic this evening:
| Friday 28th September |
| _DEP_
|
_CASTLEBAY |
_1850_ |
| _ARR_ |
_LOCHBOISDALE_ |
_2020 |
| _DEP_
|
_LOCHBOISDALE |
_2030 |
| _ARR_ |
_OBAN |
_0130 |
It is also reported in the
SoC
Forum that the possible fault for the Clansman's recent out of
service was due to an engine lining malfunction. It was resolved the next day.
Lord of the Isles will sail early from Craignure tomorrow morning in order
to take the Lochboisdale sailing slightly ahead of schedule. The reason for
this is the anticipated very low tide at Lochboisdale early in the
afternoon.
Company News:
CalMac confirms additional winter services to Islay Back
28 September 2007
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that additional sailings are
being provided on the Islay service over the winter to meet the demands of the
burgeoning whisky industry.
Following an approach from the island’s distillers, who are experiencing
unprecedented levels of demand and increasing production levels, CalMac agreed
to investigate ways in which the pressures on current carrying capacity could be
alleviated. This has now led to the confirmation of a series of additional
sailings which will begin on October 21, 2007. CalMac has confirmed that from
that date they will run a two vessel service to Islay to meet these traffic
demands. The two-vessel service will operate until the end of the Winter
timetable in March 2008, except for two key periods when a single vessel service
will apply, due to CalMac’s vessel overhaul requirements: Saturday, November 10,
2007 – Saturday, November 24 inclusive and Saturday, January 26, 2008 –
Wednesday, February 16, 2008 inclusive. (The additional sailings are highlighted
in bold on the revised timetable.)
Fay Harris, CalMac’s Regional Manager Islay said: “Clearly, the whisky industry
is having a very good spell with lots of extra traffic being generated. Whilst
this is obviously very welcome, it creates an additional demand for space which
we can only meet at this time by creating additional capacity on extra sailings.
We have consulted with the distillers and local hauliers to address their
specific concerns and the timetable we have devised should enable them to meet
their production requirements. We have been able to dovetail our own vessel
overhaul programme to coincide with the traffic pressure points. In addition to
meeting the needs of the whisky industry we are of the view that the increased
frequency of sailings and the additional capacity this provides, will benefit
the whole island. I am sure this initiative will be welcomed by the islanders,
other island businesses and visitors to the island.”
The distillers have welcomed the additional capacity being offered. Campbell
Evans, Director of Government & Consumer Affairs, Scotch Whisky Association,
said: “The industry has had helpful discussions with CalMac and the Scottish
Government in recent months and the improvements to capacity serving Islay are a
big step forward. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to
ensure the service is able to support the growing international demand for Islay
whiskies, which is so integral to the local economy."
Details of the additional sailings are being made available through CalMac’s
website www.calmac.co.uk and will be made widely available through local media and
leaflets, which are also available on ships and in terminals.
Meanwhile, CalMac confirmed that it expects to hear from asset-owning company
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited soon about the ordering of the new vessel for
the Islay service, which is due for delivery in 2011. A number of yards
throughout Europe have tendered for the order, which is due to be confirmed
shortly.
Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed that, following the recent
tendering process, CalMac has been awarded the contract to operate the Clyde and
Hebrides Ferry Services. As part of that contract Islay will be served by two
vessels for the whole of the summer timetable for the duration of the six-year
contract, starting from October 1, 2007.
Clyde:
Saturn is due in Garvel Dry Dock on the 29th of September and back
out on the 13th of October for her overhaul. She is also getting a new
sewage tank installed.
Meanwhile Juno still lies at Rosneath awaiting her final fate after
being withdrawn. |
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|
25/07/09 |
Western Isles:
Due to Adverse Weather the Following Sailings are Disrupted:
|
_DEP_ |
ROUTE |
SHIP |
_STATUS_ |
|
1345 |
_STORNOWAY - ULLAPOOL |
_ISLE
OF LEWIS_ |
_CANCELLED_ |
|
1715 |
_ULLAPOOL - STORNOWAY |
ISLE
OF LEWIS |
_CANCELLED_ |
| |
_STORNOWAY - ULLAPOOL
[FREIGHT]_ |
MUIRNEAG |
_CANCELLED_ |
| |
_ULLAPOOL - STORNOWAY
[FREIGHT] |
MUIRNEAG |
_CANCELLED_ |
 Leverburgh - Berneray (Loch Portain):
Reminder of some timetable changes due to tidal conditions:
Wednesday 26th September
Depart Berneray 1100, Depart Leverburgh CANCELLED
Thursday 27th September
Depart Berneray 1205, Depart Leverburgh 1330 CANCELLED
Friday 28th September Depart Berneray 1100, Depart Leverburgh 1215 CANCELLED
ADDITIONAL SAILINGS
Depart Berneray 1000, Depart Leverburgh 1110
Saturday 29th September Depart Berneray 1205, Depart Leverburgh 1330
CANCELLED
ADDITIONAL SAILINGS
Depart Berneray 1000, Depart Leverburgh 1110
Sunday 30th September
Depart Berneray 1330, Depart Leverburgh 1440 CANCELLED |
| |
|
|
24/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Due to technical difficulties with Clansman, todays 1510
service to Barra will be delayed by around 1-2 hours. Lord of the Isles
will return as normal from Coll and Tiree at 1615 and then sail for
Castlebay. The loading time in Oban will be longer than normal due to the
bow visor being unavailable for use on this vessel. Tomorrow afternoon's
return sailing will leave Barra on time but will be approx 1 hour late into
Oban due to the vessel being slower than Clansman. |
Clansman at the 2nd Oban
berth this evening |
| |
This afternoon's 1700 sailing to Colonsay, normally operated by Lord of
the Isles will instead be operated from Kennacraig with a departure of
1800. The Hebridean Isles will sail via Islay to Colonsay and berth
there overnight. Tomorrow morning's return sailing will depart Colonsay at
0700 and return to Kennacraig (1035) via Port Askaig (0810-0830). As a
result tomorrow's 0700 ex Port Ellen will leave from Port Askaig as part of
this return leg from Colonsay. The 0945 from Kennacraig to Port Ellen will
depart around 1115. Upon arrival at Port Ellen the Hebridean Isles is
due to sit until her 1800 sailing and so will resume her normal timetable at
this point.
Hebrides is subject to delays today to accommodate traffic diverted
from Barra via Uist.
Loch Alainn is running late with her 1110 sailing leaving at approx
1200. Again this is for technical reasons.
Update on Islay Service:
Kennacraig-Port Ellen / Port Askaig /
Colonsay / Oban:
Due to technical problems with Clansman the following service will be
operating:
| Monday 24th September |
|
Dep |
Kennacraig
|
~ |
1800 |
|
Arr |
Port Askaig |
|
2005 |
|
Dep |
Port Askaig |
|
2030 |
|
Arr |
Colonsay |
|
2140 |
| |
| Tuesday 25th September |
|
Dep |
Colonsay |
~ |
0700 |
|
Arr |
Port Askaig |
|
0810 |
|
Dep |
Port Askaig |
# |
0830 |
|
Arr |
Kennacraig |
|
1035 |
|
Dep |
Kennacraig |
# |
1115 |
 Service Notes
# The scheduled 0700 sailing from Islay and the
scheduled 0945 from Kennacraig will be running approx 1 hour later than
normal.
~ The 1800 sailing from Kennacraig on Monday 24/09/07 and the 0700 sailing
on Tuesday 25/09/07 from Islay will operate from Port Askaig
CalMac Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Canna left Oban at 0800 this morning and reached Rathlin at 1800.
Clyde:
Due to adverse weather the Ardrossan - Brodick sailing by
Saturn at 1545 sailing from Brodick has been cancelled.
A decision regarding the Saturn's next departure from Brodick will be
made at 1645. Caledonian Isles is operating as the timetable. |
| |
|
|
20/07/09 |
Company News:
CalMac Ferries Ltd has today signed a Public Service Contract to provide the
Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. The Scottish Government contract, which
is effective from October 1, 2007, will last for 6 years. The signing marks
the company’s successful completion of a tender process in accordance with
the requirements procedures set out in the Scottish Government’s Invitation
to Tender. |
| |
|
|
19/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Canna has now arrived in Oban after her visit to Corpach. She will
presumably stop for a refuel and overnight rest before heading back south to
Rathlin Island tomorrow.
Update:
Is is now understood Canna will remain in Oban until Monday while her
transit crew are working on Loch Riddon for the weekend. |
| |
|
|
15/09/07 |
Clyde / Western Isles:
Saturn left the Clyde for the first time this morning. She sailed from
Brodick at 0600 bound for Port Ellen, which she reached at 1215. She
undertook berthing trials at both the concrete ramp and the linkspan before
leaving again at 1250. She then sailed for Port Askaig but had to lie off in
the Sound of Islay as both Hebridean Isles and then Isle of Arran
used the pier. Saturn then docked successfully shortly after 1530
before sailing for Kennacraig. She will spend tonight at the north berth
before sailing for Brodick once more tomorrow morning.
Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles carried out the 0700 round trip from Port Ellen (Isle
of Arran's roster) before sailing for Port Askaig light. She then loaded
traffic for the 1530 sailing to Kennacraig and resumed her own roster.
Isle of Arran arrived at Port Askaig with the 1300 ex Kennacraig, just
as her partner left and then unloaded before sailing light for Port Ellen.
Both ships are now back on their own rosters. |
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|
|
14/09/07 |
Clyde:
Hebridean Isles left JWD this morning bound for Gourock. She was kept
there for longer than planned due to a rope fouling a propeller, but she
eventually got away late this afternoon. She will arrive in Port Ellen
around 0100 tomorrow morning. |
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|
|
13/07/09 |
Western Isles:
The following services are cancelled for today due to adverse weather
conditions:
|
_DEP_ |
ROUTE |
SHIP |
_STATUS_ |
|
ALL |
_MALLAIG - ARMADALE_ |
_CORUISK_ |
_CANCELLED_ |
|
| |
|
|
12/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles arrived in Port Askaig this evening, running slightly
late. This is her first trip to Islay this year, and the first time she has
berthed at the new terminal facilities there. She is also still operating as
a stern-loader only. The problem is apparently not to do with her bow ramp,
but the visor.
She will operate the following revised tameable for today only:
| Wednesday 12th September |
| _DEP_
|
_OBAN |
_1530_ |
| _ARR_ |
_COLONSAY_ |
_1750 |
| _DEP_ |
_COLONSAY_ |
_1800 |
| _ARR_ |
_PORT ASKAIG_ |
_1900 |
| _DEP_
|
_PORT ASKAIG_ |
_1910 |
| _ARR_
|
_COLONSAY_ |
_2010 |
| _DEP_
|
_COLONSAY_ |
_2020 |
| _ARR_ |
_OBAN |
_2240 |
|
| |
|
|
11/09/07 |
Clyde / Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles emerged from Garvel Dry Dock over the weekend and sat in
the wet dock for a while, however she has re-entered the dry dock following
the discovery of another problem, believed to be associated with one of her
stabiliser compartments. As a result she will not be back in service as
planned tomorrow. Isle of Arran will sail for Port Askaig and
Colonsay in the morning, as per the shoulder period timetable. Lord of
the Isles will also operate a 1530 sailing from Oban to Colonsay and
Port Askaig. These sailings are instead of the Kennacraig - Oban run. |
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|
|
06/09/07 |
Clyde / Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles entered dry dock this morning. Services to Islay are now
in the care of the Isle of Arran which will be operating those
sailings in the timetable that are NOT marked 'A'.
Clyde:
Loch Riddon has arrived back at Largs and is back on her
secondary Cumbrae roster. Loch Bhrusda has moved up to Rosneath to
resume her lay-up. |
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|
|
05/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles arrived back at Kennacraig as normal, following
her regular trip to Oban and then sailed at 2200 for Garvel where she is to
undergo bow ramp repairs. At 2330 she was off the west coast of Gigha making
13 knots. Isle of Arran has carried out an extra sailing from Port
Ellen at 2030. This is so that she can take over the main Islay roster from
0700 tomorrow morning and carry out the single-ship roster while her consort
is away.
Lord of the Isles is now also reported to be suffering from bow ramp
problems. Apparently she too is now only able to use her stern ramp and this
may last until her annual overhaul next month at Garvel.
Advance notice has been given that this Friday's sailing to Barra will see
an additional call at Lochboisdale on the return leg. After leaving
Castlebay at 1850, Clansman will arrive at Lochboisdale at 2020 and
leaving for Oban ten minutes later. ETA in Oban is expected to be 0130.
Clyde:
Saturn has returned to Arran for the last week of her summer
duties. |
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|
|
04/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Loch Buie left Oban at around 0700 this morning and made straight
for the Sound of Iona. She resumed service with the 1145 sailing to Iona and
Loch Riddon sailed for Craignure, via Tobermory and the Sound of
Mull, arriving at around 2030. |
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|
|
03/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Loch Buie finally left Corpach this afternoon and made for Oban.
She will return to the Sound of Iona tomorrow and re-enter service, allowing
the Loch Riddon to head for Craignure and an overnight berth before
she in turn heads back to the Clyde.
Clyde:
Saturn left her Arran duties after the 0715 sailing from Brodick
this morning. She will be undertaking additional sailings on the Wemyss Bay
- Rothesay route over the next couple of days. |
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|
|
02/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Canna arrived at Corpach today. She joined Loch Buie which
is having stern ramp repairs finished off. |
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|
01/09/07 |
Western Isles:
Canna arrived in Oban this evening, where she will spend tonight
before continuing her journey north up Loch Linnhe to Corpach tomorrow.
Clyde:
Loch Bhrusda has continued to support the Loch Shira
through the weekend on the Largs - Cumbae run while Loch Riddon
remains in the Western Isles. |
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News Logs: |
|
Click
HERE to see the other months' fleet news logs |
Webmaster: shipsofcalmac @ hotmail.co.uk