Fresh disruption as CalMac's newest ferry faces more repair works

Ferry passengers face further disruption as CalMac's newest ship, the MV Isle of Islay, returns from two weeks of repairs only to face yet more remedial work.

The vessel will return to service on Wednesday but an issue with its mezzanine decks will affect 105 bookings over the coming weeks, the operator has confirmed.

The Scottish Conservatives said it was further evidence that the SNP is “still presiding over complete chaos in Scotland’s ferry network”.

Isle of Islay was in dock for two weeks in July | John Devlin

The Turkish-built Isle of Islay started carrying passengers between Kennacraig in Kintyre and Port Askaig in Islay on March 31 but was taken out of action for two weeks this month after developing problems with its bow visor or ramp, which vehicles use to drive on and off.

It had been forced to operate stern only since the start of June, causing potentially longer turnarounds and vehicles having to reverse.

The Scotsman previously reported that repairs also included some of around 150 “warranty items” raised with its builders since the ferry’s arrival in February, including to the mezzanine deck.

READ MORE: Brand new CalMac ferry Isle of Islay out of action for repairs just 3 months after entering service

Jim Porteous, secretary of the Islay Ferry Committee, described the latest remedial work as “very concerning”.

A spokeswoman for CalMac said: “MV Isle of Islay will return to service this Wednesday 29 July following two weeks of remedial work.

“However, there is an issue with the mezzanine decks, which means that they must be taken out of service to be repaired.

“We are currently engaging with external contractors to provide feedback on the work required and will be able to provide timescales once this has completed.

“The loss of the mezz decks will affect 105 bookings – seven to eight cars per sailing up until 14 August and a further three in September.

“Any affected customers are currently being rebooked onto other sailings. We will not take further bookings for the mezz decks until the end of the summer timetable, but this may change once a repair plan is in place.

“We apologise for any disruption that this will cause to our customers, and we will ensure that the community and customers are kept informed of further developments.”

Scottish Tory transport spokesman Tim Eagle said: “This is further evidence that the SNP are still presiding over complete chaos in Scotland’s ferry network.

“Even their newest ferry is beset by problems and passengers and island economies are going to suffer once again at the height of summer season.

“It is astonishing that no SNP minister has ever taken responsibility for their two decades of incompetence and failure to provide reliable ferry services.

“The latest disruption will sadly come as no surprise to those living and working in Scotland’s islands, who will be desperate for Stephen Flynn as the latest transport secretary to finally get a grip of this fiasco.”

CalMac, which is state-owned, leases its ferries from CMAL, which is also owned by the Scottish government.

The government has been approached for comment.