CalMac's newest ferry Isle of Islay needs more repairs despite two weeks of work while out of service
New fault found days after vessel returned from maintenance
CalMac’s newest ferry will require further repairs despite being taken out of service for two weeks to fix another problem.
The new fault means drivers may again have to reverse on or off from the stern of Isle of Islay, which only started carrying passengers four months ago.
It comes on top of a problem with the vessel’s mezzanine deck revealed by The Scotsman last week which will reduce the number of cars it can carry, at the height of the tourist season.
The ferry, which operates between Kennacraig in Kintyre and Port Askaig in Islay, can carry 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles.
The latest fault is with the vessel’s clam doors, which happened on Monday, five days after the ferry returned after a problem with the bow ramp fixed.
The previous fault, with the bow ramp, meant vehicles had to drive on and off at the stern since early June.
A CalMac spokesperson said: “Due to an issue with Isle of Islay's clam doors, the vessel will load traffic stern only.
“This may result in longer turnarounds and vehicles may be required to reverse on/off the vessel.
“This is a different issue to the previous issue, so wasn't dealt with during the two-week maintenance.”
“The new fault with the Isle of Islay is with the clam doors and not with the bow ramp.
“They are next to each other but are different parts.”
The spokesperson said parts were awaited for repairs.
They said: “Once they complete the repair, they will carry out tests before returning to normal loading.”
Jim Porteous, spokesperson for Islay Ferry Committee, said: “Here we go again, just after Isle of Islay’s return from two weeks to fix the bow ramp.
“Put this along with the non-working mezz decks and it doesn't say a lot for the new maintenance regime which is already messing up timetables.”
CalMac has said of the mezzanine deck problem: “We are 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 August 14 and a further three in September.”
Isle of Islay arrived in Scotland in February after an epic four-and-a-half week voyage - twice as long as expected - from the Turkish shipyard where it was built.
It was stormbound several times en route in the Mediterranean and also rescued a Moroccan man thought to have been trying to swim to a Spanish enclave on the north African coast.
The ferry was completed more than a year late, which was blamed on parts being delayed by the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and shipyard workers being deployed to assist after a major earthquake in Turkey.
Doubts remain over when three other CalMac vessels being built by Cemre in Yalova will be completed amid fears for the future of the yard.
The Scottish Government’s ferry-buying firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited announced in June it had taken ownership of Loch Indaal, Lochmor and Claymore so they could be moved elsewhere if necessary.
It also indicated their delivery may be delayed.
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