| DATE |
NEWS |
| 30/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Due to high volumes of traffic
there will be an additional sailing from Craignure - Oban on
Monday 2nd January 2006 at 1100.
The 1200 Oban - Colonsay sailing on Wednesday 4th January 2006
will operate the following revised schedule:- Depart Oban 1200, arrive
Colonsay 1420, Depart Colonsay 1520, Arrive Oban 1740. (see external
links above for more information) |
| |
|
| 29/12/05 |
Due to weather conditions Loch Buie
was on 'Amber' alert today resulting in sailings likely to some
disruption. The same applied for Loch Bhrusda on the Sound of
Barra roster. |
| |
|
| 28/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Due to technical problems
the Fishnish - Lochaline roster
is currently off service, the
Chargehand is hoping to resume sailing at 1600 ex Lochaline. Loch
Linnhe on her way from Skye is now covering at Gigha to
allow the Loch Ranza to move to Fairlie to await her overhaul.
Loch Striven is confirmed back in service at Raasay now.
CalMac
Confirms Money-Saving Move
(external link
to BBC's Website) |
IoA and L. Ranza @ Fairlie Today |
| |
|
| 27/12/05 |
Clyde:
Caledonian Isles has suffered a flood in the starboard lounge and as
a result it was coned off today. Juno is still on the Dunoon run.
Bute and Coruisk changed rosters yesterday - Bute
is now on 2a till next Monday. There will be no sailings on the
Ardrossan - Brodick roster at 1230 and 1350 on 07/01/06 and 09/01/06.
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles did the 0800 sailing from Oban this morning to
Craignure in place of the Isle of Mull. Reason currently unknown. |
| |
|
| 26/12/05 |
Clyde:
Loch Fyne was spotted arriving back at Largs at 1100, presumably to load
crew cars ready to leave for Lochaline. She should be back in service on
the Lochaline - Fishnish crossing in the next few days, allowing Isle
of Cumbrae to return to the Clyde as spare vessel.Update:
Loch Fyne is reported to have called at Lochranza this
afternoon. She may have been carrying a dangerous load, which the
Caledonian Isles could not carry. |
Loch Fyne arriving at Largs |
| |
|
| 25/12/05 |
There are NO services operating today
for both CalMac and NorthLink.
A limited timetable will operate tomorrow. (see external links above for
more information) |
| |
|
| 24/12/05 |
Clyde:
Loch Fyne is still lying at Fairlie's inner berth so it looks
like she will stay there over Christmas
Western Isles:
As per yesterdays news both
Hebridean Isles and the Lord of the Isles will depart at
0945, one sailing from Port Ellen and the other from Port Askaig both
vessels bound for Kennacraig. (see
external link above for updates).
Other News:
Today makes one year since Pioneer (now renamed Brenda Corlett)
left the Clyde for her pastures new. She is reported to be settled down
on her roster but a timetable has yet to be decided. |
| |
|
| 23/12/05 |
Clyde:
Loch Fyne departed JWD today heading for Fairlie, on her way down
the Clyde she made a brief stop over at Largs outer berth. Loch
Alainn followed the Loch Fyne down from JWD to Cumbrae Slip
where she resumed service, taking over from the Loch Tarbert.
Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles has suffered some technical problems and was
unable to take the 1800 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen. A bus was
laid on for all the foot passengers to go up to Oban and the Lord of
the Isles is sailing down to Port Askaig at 1930 this evening.
The 0700 hour service from Kennacraig
tomorrow will operate as per timetable and there will be an 0945 sailing
from Port Ellen AND from Port Askaig presumably using both the
Hebridean Isles and the Lord of the Isles. Normal service
will resume at 1300 ex Kennacraig.
Contest
Narrows for CalMac Routes
(external link
to BBC's Website) |
Loch Fyne & Isle of Arran @ Fairlie |
| |
|
| 22/12/05 |
Saturn suffered some engine trouble this morning with her gearbox
so Juno took the Gourock - Dunoon sailings.
CalMac Press Realise:
CalMac Welcomes Oban Linkspan Go-Ahead (external link
to CalMac's Website) |
| |
|
| 21/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles was missing from Oban this evening,
presumed to be back in Craignure to allow both Isle of Mull and
Clansman to occupy the berths.
Clyde:
Coruisk was today back on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay roster
with the ex 1300 from Wemyss Bay along with Bute. Saturn
is operating the Gourock - Dunoon roster to allow the Juno to
lay-up for the winter. Loch Fyne and Loch Alainn emerged
from James Watt Dock and there annual overhaul today. Loch Fyne
was later sighted out on trials retuning to JWD at 1400. Loch Striven
departed Rothesay this morning bound for Raasay, she will make a stop
over in a unconfirmed location en-route. |
Coruisk Passes Bute off Toward |
| |
|
| 20/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles retuned to Oban as Isle of Mull regained
her normal sailings. Hebrides suffered a snarled propeller today
in Uig harbour. The debris which was apparently 'dumped' in the harbour
got caught around her starboard propeller and she limped on one engine
back to the pier where it was eventually removed by divers. See link
below for more information.
Clyde:
Coruisk moved back to the wires (Gourock) after completing her
annual overhaul. Loch Striven was out on trials from Rothesay
today and is due to make fro Raasay tomorrow.
|
Hebrides back @ Uig 21/12/05 |
CalMac Press Realise:
CalMac to Raise Illegal Dumping Issues at Uig with Highland Council (external link
to CalMac's Website) |
| |
|
| 19/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Isle of Mull was out of service today with unknown bow damage, as a
result the Lord of the Isles took her sailings including
Colonsay. Lord of the Isles later vacated Oban in the evening to
free up berths.
Clyde:
Loch Striven arrived back at Rothesay after her overhaul and is
due to depart for her home waters on Wednesday 21/05/05. |
Loch Striven @ Rothesay Pier |
| |
|
| 18/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles berthed again tonight at Craignure to free up
space in Oban while she is currently out of service.
Clyde:
Coruisk, currently in JWD was undergoing her annual overhaul with
some work on her bridge mast being completed (see picture). |
Coruisk @ JWD Today |
| |
|
| 17/12/05 |
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles berthed tonight at Craignure to free up space in
Oban while she is currently out of service. It is
reported that Laig Bay has been sold from the fleet to a unknown
owner in the Oban area. |
| |
|
| 15/12/05 |
A change to the timetable for the Barra -
Eriskay ferry Loch Bhrusda will be in operation on the 26/12/05.
Intending travellers should note that this timetable replaces existing
published times and is NOT an additional sailing.
(see external link above for more information).
Caledonian MacBrayne today announced an invitation for a one year tender
which involves the supply and crew of a vessel. The route is the Monday
to Friday Gourock - Dunoon Passenger only roster (1A) run currently by
the chartered Ali Cat. The three daily sailings will commence on
the 1st April 2006 after Ali Cats current charter ends on the
30th March 2006. Interested operators are asked to submit there
proposals to the company by 28th December 2005. |
| |
|
| 13/12/05 |
CalMac Press Realise:
CalMac respond to CNES Vice Convenor on MV Muirneag (external link
to CalMac's Website) |
| |
|
| 12/12/05 |
Coruisk was sighted heading up Holy Loch this morning at 0920
where she stayed for sometime. She was making her debut call at Sandbank
Pier up the Loch.
The Following Extract from Clyde Shipping explains more:
Following the example set by Western Ferries a couple of years ago,
Caledonian MacBrayne have now elected to dry-dock certain fleet members
every other year, instead of annually as before. This is permissible for
vessels where the main propulsion units can be lifted out whilst the
vessel remains afloat, and Coruisk is one such vessel. However,
the MCA insist on having an underwater inspection carried out, by divers
using video equipment, and can still require that a vessel is |
Coruisk @ Sandbank Pier |
| |
dry-docked if there's any sign on anything untoward. Today, Coruisk
was having an underwater survey carried out by Shearwater, the
Sandbank-based commercial diving company, as part of her annual
Passenger Certificate survey. Once this was finished, she left Sandbank
and headed (via Gourock) to the James Watt Dock where the rest of her
overhaul will take place. |
| |
|
| 11/12/05 |
It was noted this evening that Bute was berthed stern into Wemyss
Bay necessitating a HGV to reverse onto her. Reason currently unknown. |
| |
|
| |
WORK TO BEGIN SOON ON
OBAN FERRY LINKSPAN
The Press and Journal, Scotland 11:56 7-Dec-05
Work is to start on a £2.75million second ferry linkspan for Oban
early in the new year. But ferry operators Caledonian MacBrayne said
yesterday the facility, which will speed up ferry traffic using the
busy port, will not be ready for operation until the 2007 season. A
drilling rig in Oban Bay, which is competing with McCaig's Tower as
a town landmark, has enabled bore holes to be dug to test the seabed
in preparation for the linkspan structure. Hugh Dan MacLennan,
CalMac's public affairs manager, said: "The rig is just parked there
now, it has done the site investigation. It has been testing the
floor of the bay for depth and mapping out what is there." "We are
just concluding some negotiations with potential contractors, which
should enable us to set a timeframe to the project. "Some work will
be carried out early next year but it will not be completed for next
summer, that is for sure, and we have given a commitment not to work
during the summer. "The exact timeframe cannot be established yet
but we would be looking to get it into operation for the 2007
season." Mr MacLennan promised that as soon as all the final details
were available the company would be holding another meeting with
fishermen and other pier users to give them a progress report.
Various user groups objected to the original linkspan proposal
because it will permanently reduce the berthing space at the pier.
But the project, which CalMac says is needed to cope with the
growing amount of ferry traffic at Oban, was approved following a
public local inquiry earlier this year. Berthing space at the
Railway Pier will be reduced while the linkspan work goes ahead and
CalMac is trying to identify ways of limiting the impact on users.
Mr MacLennan said when the project originally got the go-ahead: "You
can't possibly build something like this without disruption, but
what we have to try and do is to minimise the ferry disruption and
the disruption to all the businesses that rely on the harbour." The
company has agreed to dredge the harbour to give a deeper berthing
space for fishing boats. Arrangements will be made for fuel
facilities to be moved around the pier.
|
| |
|
| 10/12/05 |
Isle of Mull left Merseyside after her completed overhaul today
around 1800 and is heading back to home waters in Scotland. She has had
a internal re-vamp of her lounge area, the layout remains the same but a
new carpet and curtains have been fitted. Coruisk
will go into dock on Monday 12/12/05 for her annual overhaul being
relieved by the Saturn who is now back in service after her
annual overhaul |
Isle of Mull's New Lounge |
| |
|
| 09/12/05 |
Saturn has been fitted with an additional passenger loading
platform on her main deck to allow her to use the new walkways at all
levels of tide. The new structure if fitted where the current gangway
entrance used to be. It looks like a temporary / permanent (if it can be
called that) structure. |
| |
|
| 07/12/05 |
Saturn was sighted out on trails today clearing the channel at
1215 heading out the ToB. She
headed for Wemyss Bay where she abruptly turned around and headed back
up-river to complete her annual overhaul. |
Saturn on Trails Today |
| |
|
| 05/12/05 |
Loch Alainn and later Loch Fyne were both sighted heading
up river towards dry docking at Garvel for there annual overhaul. Clyde
Marines tugs Beaver Bay and Biter eased Saturn from
Garvel dry-dock at 1345 and assisted her into JWD for final touches.
Loch Tarbert has moved from lay-up at Rosneath to Largs to
replace the Loch Alainn. Soon after the Loch Alainn arrived and entered the dry-dock at
1400. She was soon followed by her fleet mate Loch Fyne at
roughly 1425.
Caledonian Isles is due to go to Aberdeen for her annual refit &
overhaul in a month (roughly around the 5th of January). Clansman will
be standing in for her duty as per previous year. Coruisk has
returned to normal service after her absence yesterday. |
Saturn being assisted into JWD |
| |
|
| 04/12/05 |
At roughly 0800 Coruisk apparently suffered a technical problem
with her engines. As far as we can gather this problem lasted for
roughly a hour whilst she drifted towards Millport. As a result the
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay service was slightly altered and the 1215 ex
Rothesay & 1300 sailings ex Wemyss Bay have been cancelled. Later and
apparently still suffering technical difficulties the route was
operating a one vessel service with the Bute and the following
sailings have been cancelled; Ex Rothesay 1515, 1645, & 1815 Ex Wemyss
Bay 1300, 1600, 1730, & 1900. Coruisk appears to be in
Rothesay tied up undergoing maintenance.
Jupiter and Loch Tarbert are both at Gareloch for winter
'hibernation' until they are needed or there summer rosters have begun.
Loch Striven on her way for her overhaul on the Clyde, berthed
last night at Tobermory. |
Jupiter and Loch Tarbert @ Gareloch |
| |
|
| 03/12/05 |
Loch Buie left Rothesay late on Wednesday 30/11 and took over her
own run between Fionnphort and Iona this morning. Loch Linnhe has
gone to Raasay via Mallaig to relive on the Sconser crossing which has
allowed the Loch Striven to head for her overhaul. |
| |
|
| 02/12/05 |
Loch Fyne has arrived in Gourock ready for her annual overhaul at
JWD. She is currently sitting at the wires berth while Juno is
currently on the Gourock - Dunoon roster. Isle of Cumbrae is now
relieving on the Lochaline - Fishnish crossing until just before
Christmas.
Reported in the Arran Banner - Saturday 3rd December'Ardrossan
Pier struck by Arran Ferry'
Friday 25th November, MV Caledonian Isles was involved in a collision
with the pier at Ardrossan
A spokesperson for Cal Mac said : 'Minor damage was sustained by the
ferry after it hit the pier at Ardrossan on Friday afternoon. This was a
weather related incident. The MV Caledonian Isles was virtually the only
vessel in our fleet to sail on Friday because of the weather
conditions.'
1640 sailing arriving in Ardrossan 'seemed to go nose first into the
pier & took a chunk of concrete out of it'. This passenger quoted
believed that the hull had been punctured above the water line leaving a
hole the size of a golf ball.
The boat was welded at Ardrossan & all work was completed on site.
The ferry eventually left Ardrossan & returned to Brodick at 10.50pm.
The spokesperson continued: 'Sourcing welders contributed to the time
factor as did thorough checks afterwards to ensure the repairs had been
successful. The work was inspected by CalMac staff and MCA. This
occurence is nothing out of the ordinary. Ferries make contact with the
piers on a regular basis. By Saturday everything was back to normal & it
was business as usual.' |
|
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