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Return of CalMac ferry delayed further due to scope of works

Caledonian MacBrayne announced further delays to the return of the 'Caledonian Isles', which will be out of action until the end of August. The vessel was deemed unfit to return to service during its annual inspection at the Cammell Laird Yard in Birkenhead in January, leaving the main means of crossing between Ardrossan and Brodick relying on a single, smaller ship, the 'Isle of Arran'. In February, the ferry operator insisted the 'Caledonian Isles' would return in June, but this has now been revised until at least the end of August. The scope of repairs will take significantly longer than anticipated. The steel repair work required is understood to involve removing all the engines at a cost of £5 million. As part of the works, the auxiliary engines and their bedplates were removed from the vessel to allow access to the double bottom water ballast tank tops. The structure below the main engines is being supported using hydraulic jacks, whilst the steel around these engines is renewed. The main engines will need to be lifted off their bedplates to allow access under the engines for renewal of the tank top steel directly below the sump.

Ferry needs significant steelwork repairs

Due to the 'Caledonian Isles' having to undertake significant steelwork repairs at the Cammmell Laird Yard in Birkenhead since Feb 11m 2924, Calmac have reviewed the deployment plans for the summer period. The 'Isle of Arran' will continue to operate to and from Ardrossan. The 'Alfred' will operate to and from Troon from March 29 up to and including Aug 21. During this time, the 'Alfred' will carry all vehicle types except for Motorhomes/Caravans and Coaches. Customers with these vehicle types were asked to travel on the 'Isle of Arran' sailings.

Ferry needs structural strengthening work

CalMac has confirmed that the 'Caledonian Isles' was unlikely to be back in action for a further four months due to structural strengthening and steelwork issues. Assessments of the full extent of poor steel was underway in dry dock at Cammel Laird in Birkenhead, where the ship arrived on Feb 11 at 11.50 a.m. By the time the vessel returns to service in the middle of June 2024 or even later, it will have been sidelined for nearly half a year. Consequences of the delay will have an impact on various routes across the CalMac network and not just on the Caledonian Isles’ own Ardrossan to Brodick service. A large area of severely corroded and weakened steel discovered in an extremely awkward location beneath the engines will cost around £5 million to replace at present estimates. CalMac was taking a close look at a range of impacts of not having the 'Caledonian' Isles in service. Fleet changes and reshuffling ferries around the network are to be published by March 4.