Two Updates have just been received from CalMac. The first is explicitly to do with the delayed return of the Coruisk, and the second is the wider communication about the network.

UPDATE 1

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Following on from yesterday’s update I am writing to you to share more details on vessel deployment and service plans from Thursday 9 April through to Friday 17 April inclusive.  

Unfortunately, due to the scale of disruption and number of vessels out of service, we need to keep MV Coruisk on Oban-Craignure for longer. She will still there until at least Sunday 12 April, with the likelihood being that will continue until Friday 17 April.  

MV Coruisk is the only vessel we currently have available to operate on Mull’s main route. MV Isle of Mull is covering Coll, Tiree and Colonsay, whilst MV Loch Frisa is not due back in service until Monday 13 April. The single-vessel service on Oban-Craignure is leading to a massive displacement of customers, so we’re keen to keep two vessels on the run – which will still cause capacity constraints given their size – until MV Isle of Mull is released from Coll, Tiree and Colonsay. This should be when MV Hebrides returns to service on Saturday 18 April. 

We’re pursuing the extension of charter vessels to cover services on Mallaig-Armadale during that period. 

I apologise for the continued disruption to your service.  
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UPDATE 2

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Following on from yesterday’s update I am writing to you to share more details on vessel deployment and service plans from Thursday 9 April through to Friday 17 April inclusive.  

We will re-deploy MV Isle of Islay to Oban-Castlebay from Thursday 9 April to pick up the usual summer timetable. This will start with a sailing from Oban that day. In doing so, we will be able to reinstate the usual Little Minch timetable, which MV Clansman will continue to operate until Friday 17 April. MV Hebrides is due back on the run on Saturday 18 April.  

This will mean normal services should resume on Oban-Castlebay and Uig-Lochmaddy/Tarbert from Thursday, though we will continue to prioritise Lochmaddy on the latter as we’re unable to provide a service to South Uist throughout this period.  

We know the Sound of Harris is a vital inter-island route and we’re conscious of the impact the unavailability of both MV Loch Bhrusda and MV Loch Portain has on services, particularly for people travelling for urgent medical appointments. We’ve put a passenger charter in place and are liaising with NHS Western Isles on supporting those who are travelling in the coming days.  

MV Loch Bhrusda’s forward main engine issue will be repaired at Mallaig, with an estimated completion date of Saturday 11 April. This means her return to service will be later on Saturday, or on the Sunday, depending on the time of completion and when she arrives back at her port of service.  

This is what the network-wide deployment plan looks like from Thursday 9 to Friday 17 April: 

Island/Route Planned deployment at this time Actual deployment at this time Change vs planned service 
Arran MV Caledonian Isles MV Glen Sannox MV Caledonian Isles MV Glen Sannox As planned 
Barra MV Isle of Lewis MV Isle of Islay Timetable as planned, with different vessel 
Coll MV Lord of the Isles MV Isle of Mull TT as planned, but with different vessel  
Colonsay MV Lord of the Isles MV Isle of Islay (Sat) MV Finlaggan (Wed)  MV Isle of Mull MV Finlaggan Sat Wed & Thu cancelled for w/c 13 April   Reduction in service 
Islay MV Finlaggan MV Isle of Islay MV Finlaggan MV Alfred MV Finlaggan operating single-vessel TT, supplemented by MV Alfred 
Little Minch (Harris & North Uist) MV Clansman MV Clansman As planned, with TT amended to prioritise North Uist and support South Uist customers 
Mull MV Isle of Mull MV Coruisk (until 9 Apr) then MV Loch Frisa (from 13 April) MV Coruisk  MV Coruisk & MV Loch Frisa (from 13 to 17 April) Reduced service, planned for two vessels and significant capacity constraints  
South Uist MV Isle of Arran No vessel available Service cancelled 
Tiree MV Lord of the Isles MV Isle of Mull TT as planned, but with different vessel   

Vessels out of service: 

MAJOR ISSUE ESTIMATED RETURN TO SERVICE 
MV Hebrides None – planned maintenance  Saturday 18 April  
MV Isle of Lewis Extension of planned maintenance for steelwork By Sunday 31 May 
MV Isle of Arran Need for replacement couplings on bow thruster To be confirmed later this week  
MV Lord of the Isles Crack on footing of starboard main engine holding down arrangement To be confirmed later this week 
SMALL     
MV Loch Frisa None – planned maintenance Monday 13 April 
MV Loch Portain None – planned maintenance   Tuesday 12 May 
MV Loch Bhrusda Issue with forward main engine Repairs – expected to complete Sat  
MV Loch Linnhe Oil leak in the voith unit space Repairs expected to complete Thursday  

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