26th of foot 5,776 Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share Posted July 29, 2021 Another day, another two Cal-Mac vessels are removed from service. It's Thursday, 29th July and the MV Hebridean Isles, a 36 year old vessel needs a new fuel pump. Predicted to return to service early next week. The MV Catriona has steerage problems, undiagnosed as yet and no predicted date for return to service. The Transport Minister, Michael Matheson remains unavailable for comment. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7 5,009 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Makes you wonder what a future Republic of Scotland Navy will look like. Half a dozen trawlers probably. Air defence will be outsourced to Loganair flying off Barra beach in support of Russian MiGs using Lossiemouth. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 5,952 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 A sad state of affairs when you consider we once built fine ships like HMS Hood , Renown and Repulse on the river Clyde . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,687 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 hour ago, compo said: A sad state of affairs when you consider we once built fine ships like HMS Hood , Renown and Repulse on the river Clyde . We also didn’t have Sturgeon and her rag-tag collection of halfwits back then 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 5,776 Posted July 30, 2021 Author Share Posted July 30, 2021 Today, the MV Chieftain has been withdrawn from service. The reason is starter motor failure. The vessel is expected to be out of service for at least the weekend. It plies the route between Gouroch and Kilcreggan, mostly used by workers at the RN Bases at Coulport and Faslane. Cal-Mac have no spare ferries, thus a replacement takes the form of a bus. A 15 minute ferry ride is now an hour plus on a bus covering the 50-odd mile road trip. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,687 Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 The SNP seems to be extending travel restrictions by the day. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 5,776 Posted August 4, 2021 Author Share Posted August 4, 2021 A freight ferry that broke down a week after it was chartered by Cal-Mac has been repaired. The MV Arrow was brought in last month to provide additional overnight sailings on the Stornoway to Ullapool route for six weeks. The move was to free up space on the crossing's MV Loch Seaforth ferry, particularly during the busiest weeks of the summer tourist season. Cal-Mac said the Seatruck-operated Arrow had returned to service. BBC Scotland have reported the above, it's their first intervention in this long running story. It's positive for Cal-Mac. BBC Scotland do not tell us, nor mention the other vessels withdrawn from service. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 5,776 Posted August 5, 2021 Author Share Posted August 5, 2021 Yesterday, the 30 year old ferry, the MV Loch Buie was withdrawn from service after suffering engine failure. The service between the Isle of Mull and Iona have been considerably disrupted. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 5,952 Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Bring back the old puffers, more steam Mcphail. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 5,776 Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 The cost of the replacement freight ferry, MV Arrow has been revealed today. Hired from the Government of the Isle of Man, the cost is £11, 760 per day. Obviously, since it was withdrawn from service for ten days after only plying it's Cal-Mac trade for a few days, the Scottish Government is claiming a £117,600 saving. Seven weeks left on it's contract with Cal-Mac, that's an eye-watering £588,000. Apparently, a Market Trader at the Barras, Shuggie McSwagger has been hired as a Consultant to resolve this on going mess. He has first dibs on two vessels currently operating upon the boiling briney known as Hogganfield Loch. The MV Colindar and the MV Sieve are the very dab, honest. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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