CALEDONIAN ISLES

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

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.

Ferry suffered governor failure

The 'Caledonian Isles' suffered a failure of the governor on the main engine on Sep 2, 2023, resulting in the cancellation or delay of sailings between Ardrossan and Brodick. The issue followed cancellations on all sailings between Ardrossan and Arran on Sep 1. The problem with the vessel's governor was resolved at around 4.30 p.m., and the sailings on Sep 3 were due to take place as normal.