| DATE |
NEWS |
| 30/11/05 |
Isle of Arran is now at her temporary berth at Fairlie where she
will await further use as spare vessel over the winter and her eventual
overhaul. |
Isle of Arran @ Fairlie. |
| |
CalMac Press Realise: CalMac submits
Northern Isles Tender bid
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) believes it has submitted a
compelling case to be awarded the contract for the provision of lifeline
ferry services to the Northern Isles from next April.
CalMac, which has 150 years of experience providing lifeline ferry
services on the West coast of Scotland, is one of the two contenders to
operate the services.
A wide-ranging series of consultation meetings were held in Orkney and
Shetland with key customers and agencies on the islands as part of
CalMac’s preparation for the bid which was submitted to the Scottish
Executive in Glasgow today (Thursday, December 1, 2005).
Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said that the Company’s consultation
meetings had enabled CalMac to identify solutions to the key service
issues. He said: “We identified very early on in the consultation
process that the management of cabins and livestock handling were the
key areas which had to be developed. We have now developed potential
solutions for both scenarios and we believe these solutions are of a
nature and quality that they will enable a successful bid to operate the
Northern Isles service. CalMac’s bid is based on our consultation
meetings which showed that we appear to have the support of both island
communities in terms of the way we have managed the operation, raising
customer care service standards and addressing any issues which might
have appeared. We will strengthen the operation in key areas and bring
innovative solutions to bear in areas which have been difficult in the
past.”
CalMac is not in a position to publish the details of the bid submission
at this stage as there may be a further round of meetings with the
Scottish Executive before decisions are made. Mr. Sinclair said: “I hope
that the communities of the Northern Isles will appreciate that this is
still a highly competitive situation and there are very good reasons for
us protecting the integrity of our bid. Much of what we are proposing
must remain confidential while this early stage of the bid process is
completed and once we are in a position to reveal the details of what we
are planning, and what our solutions are, we will be very happy to do
so. Meantime, we would appreciate it if we could retain a degree of
commercial confidentiality in the circumstances.”
In its Annual Report and Accounts for 2004-5, published in September,
CalMac reported an increase of 2.8% (144,000) in passenger carryings to
5.4 million and car traffic by 5.3% (55,000) to 1.1 million. The
increases in traffic and general business performance saw the Company
achieve its results with no increase in Deficit Grant from the £25.9
million received in the previous year. |
| |
|
| 30/11/05 |
Isle of Arran left Kennacraig this morning heading for Ardrossan
to unload crew cars around entering Ardrossan Harbour at 12.50 She left
within half an hour bound for Fairlie to be laid up until her services
are next required.
CalMac Press Realise: CalMac confirms
allocation of new ferry to Fergusons
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that the order for the
new vessel to serve the Largs-Cumbrae Slip service will be built at
Fergusons Shipyard in Port Glasgow.
The then Minister for Transport Nicol Stephen MSP confirmed on
Wednesday, December 8, 2004 that he had approved tendering for the new
vessel estimated to cost around £5.8million following the Executive’s
2004 Spending Review.
Fergusons were confirmed as preferred bidder for the contract for the
new vessel by the CalMac Board which met in Arran yesterday (Wednesday
30 November). Subject to final conclusion of the specification and terms
of conditions, the contract to build the ship will be awarded to
Fergusons and work will begin soon.
CalMac Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “CalMac is delighted to
have this confirmation of the new build details. As a former shipbuilder
myself, I am absolutely delighted that a local shipyard has come out on
top in the competition to produce the best options for building this new
vessel. Negotiations will continue between ourselves and Fergusons to
complete the detail of the contract and I am sure that these discussions
will be concluded amicably and quickly. This is excellent news for the
workforce at Fergusons. It is very good news for the Company and I am
delighted that we are able to confirm the progress of this project which
will enable us to proceed with the other planning which is required,
improving facilities for the new vessel at Largs and Cumbrae Slip.”
The ordering of this new vessel was conducted in accordance with EU
public procurement procedures. CalMac’s Technical Director John Kerr
said: “Value for money, reliability and delivery were the key factors in
awarding the contract to Fergusons. There were 9 expressions of interest
in this contract originally from Germany, Poland, Norway, Italy and the
UK. Invitations to tender were issued in September to 8 companies in the
end. Five responded and the Fergusons option clearly offered the best
value for the investment. The new vessel will normally carry 24 cars and
up to 250 passengers and will be due for delivery in the Spring of 2007.
Building will start as soon as possible.”
Mr Sinclair added: “As with the building of any new vessel, it is
important that everyone appreciates at the outset that there will be a
fixed budget for this project and that we have to achieve best value for
money, while producing the most customer-friendly ship possible. I am
very much looking forward to getting the project up and running and
delighted to be starting the building process up again in a local yard,
at what is an extremely challenging time for both ourselves and
Fergusons.
The new ship should enter service in the Spring of 2007, releasing one
of the current vessels on the Largs-Cumbrae Slip service to improve the
Oban-Lismore service.” |
| |
|
| 29/11/05 |
Hebridean Isles is now back at Islay after her annual overhaul.
She will not be covering the Scrabster - Stromness station until the
09/02/06. Isle of Arran is due at Fairlie anytime for her
overhaul and will be staying there until Christmas. Isle of Cumbrae
is staying on the 2nd mull roster until 23/12/05 to cover for Loch
Fyne, this has enforced a maximum
deadweight of 38 tonnes for any HGV's on the crossing.
Loch Buie should be leaving Rothesay for Iona on Thursday. This
will then free the Loch Linnhe to move to Sconser and relieve the
Loch Striven so that she can go to Ardmaleish for her overhaul. |
Hamnavoe, Hoy Sound this Morning. |
|
NorthLink: The weather in the north has
finally retreated and all NorthLink services are now back to normal.
The Hamnavoe on the Scrabster Stromness route is finally now taking her
normal westerly route through Hoy sound and into the Atlantic, rather than her
more sheltered (longer) route through Scapa Flow and into the Pentland Firth. |
| |
|
| 28/11/05 |
Loch Buie is undergoing her final fitting out after her winter
overhaul. She has moved to Rothesay inner berth while crew / shore staff
apply the final touches for her return back to the Iona station. She is
pictured with crew repairing her mast. Isle of Mull sailed into
the Mersey under cover of darkness this morning and is now in dry dock
at North Western Ship Repairers (Cammell Laird #4),
in Birkenhead ready and awaiting her annual overhaul. |
Loch Buie @ Rothesay. |
| |
NorthLink:
It has been reported that NorthLink Ferries is under investigation by the Office
of Fair Trading (OFT). The OFT visited NorthLink's offices in Orkney, Shetland and
Aberdeen last week. An OFT spokesman confirmed: “This is part of the OFT competition act.
There have been allegations that a cartel has been operating with regard to ferry freight
services”. However, no assumptions should be made that there has been an infringement of
competition law. We are in no position to decide that until we have all the details and
facts.”
A NorthLink spokesman commented: “Our staff did everything possible to assist the
OFT with their enquiries and NorthLink is cooperating fully with the investigation.”
|
|
26/11/05 |
Clyde: It Appears that Bute
spent last night at Wemyss Bay sheltering from the winds which were from
a northerly direction. This would have left her buffeting against the
pier at Rothesay.
Loch Dunvegan made her way back
from Gourock to the Kyles of Bute to resume service. It is reported that
Isle of Cumbrae will now sail for Lochaline and relieve the
Loch Fyne. The Loch Fyne is apparently to go into dry dock
with Loch Alainn once the Saturn's overhaul is complete.
We believe Loch Tarbert will return to service on relief duties
at Cumbrae.
|
Bute @ Wemyss Bay last night. |
Western Isles:
Lochnevis's 0915 departure from
Mallaig was delayed until 1000 while she awaited train passengers due to
a road being blocked at Arisaig. Isle of Lewis will only be
making one crossing today due to the weather conditions. She departed
Stornoway at 1000 and is due to arrive in Ullapool at 1245 where she
will leave once traffic has been loaded. There will be an extra service
tomorrow (Sunday) ex Stornoway 0715 and Ullapool at 1030. See link above
for more information.
Isle of Mull returned from Colonsay to berth bow-in at Oban before
vacating the linkspan to lie at Craignure overnight. She is due to leave
early in the morning for her annual overhaul in Birkenhead. Lord of
the Isles is now covering the Oban - Craignure crossing with
Clansman on the Outer Isles and Coll - Tiree routes. |
 Weather Disruptions:
There are continuing weather disruptions today. See external link above
for more information. |
| |
|
| 25/11/05 |
Clyde:
It appears that Caledonian Isles
has damaged herself berthing at Ardrossan tonight, she is
currently awaiting assessors. If she is fit to sail she will depart at
approx 2000 tonight. Bute did not take her 1945 sailing to Rothesay.
Update: Caledonian Isles sailed at 2200 for Brodick after
an inspection.
Western Isles: There will be a 3
ship operation out of Oban tomorrow with a 0645 to Coll and Tiree, 0700
to Castlebay and Lochboisdale and 1400 to Colonsay. The Tiree boat will
do the 1600 to Mull. The Hebrides is stormbound at Uig with her
0730 x Lochmaddy cancelled tomorrow, likewise the Isle of Arran
is stormbound at Kennacraig.
|
Bow Damage to Caledonian Isles. |
| |
|
| 24/11/05 |
NorthLink: The Hamnavoe made one return
crossing across the Pentland Firth this Morning and is now secured at Stromness until at least
Tomorrow Morning due to the extremely high northerly winds in the Northern Isles at present.
Both the Hjaltland and Hrossey have also cancelled this evenings sailings from Aberdeen (including Kirkwall)
and Lerwick. All Tomorrows sailings are also under review due to the forecast predicting a sustained wind speed.
|
| |
|
| 23/11/05 |
We are advised that the
Isle of Mull will come off duty this coming Saturday evening and
spend the night at Craignure. She will then head off to Birkenhead for
her annual overhaul, with Lord of the Isles coming down from
Tobermory to take up the Oban - Craignure run. Isle of Arran
arrived at Port Ellen at 0820.
Juno has now taken her place back on the Gourock - Dunoon run
from the 1520 sailing this afternoon. Saturn came off duty and
made her way to Garvel Dry Dock, which she entered at 1545 for her turn
to be overhauled.The master on Isle of Lewis has advised of
likely disruptions due to the expected poor weather in the coming few
days. See the above link for full details. |
| |
|
| 21/11/05 |
Juno and Loch
Duvegan left Garvel Dry Dock today and were towed into the adjacent
JWD for the finishing touches to their annual overhauls. Loch Buie
is now slipped at Ardmaleish on Bute for her overhaul. We have had a
report that on completion of her overhaul at Aberdeen, Hebridean
Isles will go to Scrabster for relief duties until early February
2006. |
| |
|
| 20/11/2004 |
Site News: |
| |
With recent Media
coverage SoC hit almost 900 unique
visitors on the 14th - almost three times the amount we normally receive
daily. There has also been a steady increase in viewers to the site
recently seeing double the usual amount in the last few weeks. This
month we are on track to receiving over 10,000 visitors - the fist time we
will achieve this huge figure. We hope new viewers enjoyed your visit
and we look forward to seeing you and our regulars back onboard soon!
Any Comments or
Questions - as ever let us know!
Steve Hurst, Site Editor. |
| |
|
| 19/11/05 |
Clansman has
returned from the Lewis crossing following the return to service of the
Isle of Lewis. Lord of the Isles will berth at Tobermory
to free up room in Oban until the Isle of Mull goes for her
annual overhaul. |
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|
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Other News: |
| |
Former CalMac veteran paddler Waverley's 2006 season will start on Good
Friday, 14th April.
As a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of her launch (in October 1946)
she will operate a special end of season weekend sailing programme on
the Clyde in October 2006 following her return from the normal Thames
season.
There will be some other alterations to programme - more details later -
see links for Waverley. |
| |
|
| 16/11/05 |
Coruisk missed a
couple of sailings today on the Rothesay route - the 0630 ex Rothesay
and 0715 return, and also the 1430 ex Rothesay and 1515 return. |
| |
|
| 15/11/05 |
Other News: |
| |
 Muirneag's storm
ordeal from the 11/11/05 was featured in today's Daily Record and
Glasgow Herald. |
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|
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NorthLink: Due to
the Hrossey’s late departure from
Lerwick this Morning, she only arrived at Aberdeen at
14:40 and is scheduled for departure for Lerwick at
21:00. The vessel will probably arrive at Lerwick on time
in the Morning due to her capable speed. The
Hjaltland and Hrossay have a
high reserve for speed so they can call in past Orkney
and still arrive at the same time as the direct vessel
heading in the other direction. |
| |
|
| 14/11/05 |
Lord
of the Isles, having left JWD a couple of days
ago is apparently taking the Coll and Tiree sailings
while Coll linkspan is closed for annual work &
repairs. Clansman is either doing solely Outer
Isles or lying spare somewhere presumably. She will then
replace Isle of Mull when she goes off for
overhaul on 28th Nov. Bruernish and Eigg
are now using the North Pier berth in Oban as drilling
work for new linkspan appears to be underway off the
Railway Pier. Loch Buie was allowed to 'stretch
her legs' today and had a bit play at Gourock before
returning at 09:30. It is reported that the Clansman
is heading north to cover for the Isle of Lewis
which seems to be having technical problems - any updates
will be posted. |
| |
|
| |
NorthLink: Due to adverse
weather the Hrossey’s sailing from Lerwick
Tonight has been rescheduled to depart at 06:00 on
Tuesday 15th. The Hamnavoe made one return trip
this morning but has cancelled all further sailings Today
with Tomorrow's 06:30 from Stromness also under review. |
| |
|
| |
 Police
Investigate Ferry 'Attack' (external link) |
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|
| 13/11/05 |
Hebridean
Isles arrived in Aberdeen at 1830 tonight for her
annual overhaul, she was later sighted testing her life saving equipment. The Isle of Arran has been is
covering for her on the Islay roster as of the 12/11/05.
Due to survey work being carried out for the new Oban
Linkspan, Isle of Mull spent most of today at the
Lighthouse vessel berth in the bay. |
Hebridean Isles @ Aberdeen. |
| |
|
| 12/11/05 |
NorthLink: Due to the poor
weather conditions over the country last night and Today
the Hjaltland, Hamnavoe and Hascosay
have all suffered delays. The Hjaltland only left
Hatston (Kirkwall) at 02:10 arriving Aberdeen 08:50 this
Morning. The vessel also suffered a leak at the port boat
deck access door which caused sea water to enter the
upper foyer area on deck 6 and surrounding corridors, and
into the reception area on deck 5. The Hascosay
arrived into Aberdeen at 15:00 after a 19 hour trip from
Lerwick. The Hamnavoe has cancelled both the 16:45
from Stromness and the 19:00 from Scrabster this evening. |
Hjaltland's leaking door.
|
| |
|
11/11/05
Disruptions
|
Severe
weather has caused major problems today... Lochnevis
was unable to carry out her Armadale and Small Isles
sailings. Loch Linnhe saw her Iona crossings
cancelled for the day. The Colonsay service and Barra and
South Uist crossings were all cancelled, as was the Oban
- Craignure service through this afternoon and the
evening. At first the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay route was
diverted to Gourock, with Bute and Coruisk seeking
shelter out of the wind and joining the Loch Buie as
she waits for her overhaul at Ardmaleish, although this
afternoon the whole service was cancelled altogether.
Caledonian Isles was initially diverted to Gourock
early this afternoon but on her return to Brodick the
service was suspended. The Sound of Barra and Sound of
Harris sailings were cancelled. Even Hebrides was
out of service this afternoon as conditions worsened in
the Minch which also leaded the
Muirneag into a
very bad crossing having to take shelter off Stornoway
unable to get into the harbour after 16 hours at sea. Loch
Alainn had her last sailing at 1015 to Cumbrae and
was then stormbound at Largs. For a while the Saturn
was stormbound at Gourock and was then allowed out on a
passenger-only service, resuming with cars this
afternoon.
Raasay remained stormbound at Tobermory through this
afternoon and finally the Hebridean Isles missed
her afternoon sailing to Islay. With the weather due
to worsen further still, it is possible that disruptions
will continue into tomorrow. Check the external link
above for up-to -date info!
|
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|
| |
NorthLink: It is understand
that the chartered freighter
Clare has had engine
problems this week and has missed a number of sailings,
She arrived at 1000 on 03/11 in Aberdeen and sailed North
tonight for the first time this week.(11/11) |
| |
|
| 10/11/05 |
Mechanical
problems on Isle of Lewis mean the 1030 from
Ullapool and the 1345 from Stornoway are cancelled. As a
result Hebrides is operating a special timetable
today so that Lewis and Harris aren't cut off. Full
details from the external link above. Hebrides
arrived at Uig at 1610 and departed at 1646 for Tarbert,
the sailing was delayed to accommodate the Ullapool -
Stornoway traffic. ETA Tarbert 1815. Tomorrows sailings
look like they could be disrupted too. The Sound of Iona
sailings on Loch Linnhe are also liable to
disruption tomorrow. See external link above for updates. |
| |
|
| 09/11/05 |
Isle
of Mull's 10:00 ex Oban - Craignure and return have
been cancelled due to technical problems. The next
scheduled sailing is 1600hrs.
Update: 10:45 Eigg dep Oban to Craignure with
a van, car and about 20 passengers in place of the Isle
of Mull.
Update: Isle of Mull attempted her sailing
to Colonsay this afternoon after what seemed to be
repairs. However she was sighted returning to Oban a
short while later presumably with the same fault. |
IoM returning to Oban this
afternoon.
|
| |
|
| 08/11/05 |
Western Isles: |
| |
After
last nights storm, Craignure gangway was damaged
resulting in passengers boarding / alighting via the car
deck ramps on the Oban - Craignure crossing. Loch
Linnhe is now covering the Fionnphort - Iona duty
allowing the Loch Buie to undertake her overhaul
on the Clyde where she is currently lying at the wires
(Gourock). |
| |
Clyde: |
| |
Loch
Riddon appears to be on the Tarbert - Lochranza /
Portavadie run in place of the Loch Tarbert.
Loch Dunvegan has now joined Lord of the Isles
and Juno for annual overhaul. Bute returned
from overhaul and joined the Coruisk working
Wemyss Bay -Rothesay. |
| |
|
| |
NorthLink: Due to the
adverse weather forecast, the 0630 sailing of the Hamnavoe,
from Stromness and the 0845 sailing from Scrabster, today
have been cancelled. Later sailings will also be under
review. During the recent high winds the Hamnavoe
has been using both Scrabster and Stromness stern first.
Freight has been reversed onto the vessel while cars are
being turned inside the ship. |
| |
|
| 07/11/05 |
Isle
of Lewis is sheltering overnight in Ullapool from
tonight's storm force weather rather than her usual
Stornoway layover. |
| |
|
| 06/11/05 |
Juno
is currently sitting at the wires (Gourock) awaiting her
trip to JWD for Annual overhaul. Loch Buie was
sighted emerging from the Kyles of Bute and then made her
way up towards Gourock. We assume Loch Linnhe, now
absent from Largs, has gone to relieve her at Iona. Loch
Dunvegan also left the Kyles of Bute this morning
after changeover with the Isle of Cumbrae, which
left Rothesay at 0900 this morning. |
| |
|
| 02/11/05 |
Having
been relieved on the Tarbert - Portavadie crossing for
the winter timetable, Isle of Cumbrae is now lying
at the inside berth at Fairlie. Loch Linnhe also
returned to her old haunts at Largs today. Coruisk
relieved the Bute on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
service, taking up the route with the 13:00 sailing from
Wemyss Bay. Bute is currently in James Watt Dock.
On Sunday the Bute should return to service when Saturn
takes the Dunoon roster and the Juno goes off for
her overhaul. |
| |
|
| 01/11/05 |
NorthLink: It is believed that the NorthLink charter of
the
Zebu
Express to cover freight duties has now ended. Freight rosters
should now be back on track with the following deployments kicking
things off:
DATE - DAY - HASCOSAY / CLARE
31/10/2005 - Mon - AB -
KI / LE -
AB
01/11/2005 - Tue - KI - AB / AB - LE
02/11/2005 - Wed - AB -
LE / LE -
AB
03/11/2005 - Thu - LE -
AB / AB -
LE
04/11/2005 - Fri - AB -
LE / LE -
AB
05/11/2005 - Sat - LE -
AB / AB -
LE
06/11/2005 - Sun - AB
-KI / Layover in Lerwick
07/11/2005 - Mon - KI –
AB / Layover in
Lerwick
08/11/2005 - Tue - AB -
LE / LE -
AB
09/11/2005 - Wed - LE -
AB / AB -
LE
10/11/2005 - Thu - AB -
LE / LE -
AB
11/11/2005 - Fri - LE -
AB / AB -
LE
12/11/2005 - Sat - Layover in Aberdeen / Layover in
Lerwick
13/11/2005 - Sun - AB -
KI / Layover in
Lerwick
AB = Aberdeen / KI = Kirwall / LE = Lerwick |
Zebu Express in Aberdeen. |
|
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