The Isle Of Cumbrae, serving on the route Largs-Cumbrae, suffered a technical issue on July 17 and was sidelined in Largs for troubleshooting. As a consequence, the ferry was unavailable for service. However, the 'Loch Shira' continued to operate the current published timetable. After the repairs have been carried out, the normal two-vessel timetable resumed with the scheduled 7:00 p.m. sailing from Largs.
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GANNET BULKER
The Eagle Ship Management LLC, based in Stamford, Connecticut, of the 'Gannet Bulker' pleaded guilty on July 13, 2025, to deliberately polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans by dumping oily waste in 2021. If sentencing is approved, the company could face a criminal fine of $1.75 million and a four-year probation term that includes audits by an independent expert,. The charges stemmed from an investigation the U.S. Coast Guard launched after a crew member on the 'Gannet Bulker' sent a social media message on March 14, 2021, stating the engine room had flooded and oil-contaminated water was deliberately pumped overboard at night. The 'Gannet Bulker' was anchored near Southwest Pass of the Port of New Orleans near the mouth of the Mississippi River at that time. The oily discharge was around 39 cubic meters and did not involve the use of required pollution prevention equipment or recordkeeping. The chief engineer of the ship was prosecuted in a separate case and sentenced to serve a year and a day in prison for his role in the discharge of oil and obstruction of justice. The company's plea included admissions that the crew engaged in obstructive acts, including retaliation against the whistleblower, senior ship officers and crew lying to the Coast Guard and destruction of evidence, including a printout from the engine control room computer. Senior ship officers also created false and backdated personnel evaluations intended to discredit the whistleblower The sentencing is scheduled for Oct.16.
HALLAIG
Due to a technical issue on the 'Hallaig', serving on the route Sconser-Raasay, on July 17, the scheduled 07:55 a.m. sailing departing from Raasay and the 08:25 a.m. sailing departing from Sconser had to be cancelled. The ship was sidelined in Raasay for repairs. While the investigations into the issue were ongoing, also the the 08:55 a.n. sailing departing Raasay and the 09:25 a.m. sailing departing Sconser were cancelled. After troubleshooting, the ferry returned to service with a delayed 08:55 a.m. sailing departing from the port of Raasay. The 'Hallaig' operated a shuttle service. The vessel intended to go back to timetable at 12:15 p.m.
NORTHUMBERLAND
The 'Northumberland' cancelled two crossings between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia on July 16 due to am ongoing technical issue. Affected were the 5 p.m. departure from Caribou, N.S., and the 6:30 p.m. crossing leaving Wood Islands, P.E.I. One of four metal pins that secure the ferry's bow visor did not release as the vessel arrived in Caribou around midday. Crews tried unsuccessfully to unlock the door, but had to move the ferry out of the way so that the company's other vessel, the 'Confederation', could dock and drop off its passengers. The 'Northumberland' had left Wood Island bound for Nova Scotia at 11:45 a.m. and was due to disembark the passengers in Caribou at 1 p.m. As of 4:30 p.m., the passengers were still onboard. They were being offered free food and drinks as the ship headed back to Wood Islands, where the ship had to turn around to unload its complement of cars and trucks through the operational bow visor at the other end, meaning at least some passengers would have to reverse out of the ferry. Just before 5 p.m. the ferry had docked, and unloading was underway. The 'Northumberland' was back in service on July 17, as it could operate with three of the four metal pins, along with one temporary pin.
STENA SUPERFAST VIII
The 'Stena Superfast VIII', serving between Belfast and Cairnryan, has suffered an engine failure whilst alongside in the port of Belfast on the morning of July 17, 2025.. This has resulted in disruption also causing traffic congestion in Belfast. The ferry has since been towed to the ship repair quay at Harland & Wolff. The ferry 'European Causeway' continued to operate the route, but in a ‘freight only’ mode due to issues with the PA system. The ferries 'European Highlander' and 'Stena Superfast VII' were thus the only vessels on the north channel able to carry passengers. The issue at one stage led to traffic disruption in the Dargan Road area and on the M2 southbound heading into Belfast. The 7.30 p.m. sailing had a short delay, check in closed at 7 p.m., to minimise the delay. The 11.30 p.m. crossing was also delayed. check in close dat 11 p.m. to minimise the delay.