Update from Calmac. The bits Tiree is interested in:

“We are working on a plan that would allow us to improve services on the Outer Hebrides, Coll, Tiree and Colonsay from the middle of next week.  “

“Redeploy MV Clansman to Oban-Coll/Tiree/Colonsay, which she is much better suited to than the currently deployed MV Isle of Mull “

The message in full:

“We are working on a plan that would allow us to improve services on the Outer Hebrides, Coll, Tiree and Colonsay from the middle of next week.

Until then, our plan for Easter weekend is:

·       MV Glen Sannox will, subject to successful trials, return to service on Troon-Brodick on the afternoon of Thursday 2 April

·       MV Isle of Islay will remain on Kennacraig-Port Askaig 

·       Current deployment plans will remain unchanged 

 

We do not expect to be able to move vessels sooner due to the weather. From Tuesday, should weather improve, we intend to send MV Glen Sannox to Oban-Castlebay to carry out berthing trials and, subject to these being successful, putting her in service for Barra. We will also redeploy MV Isle of Islay to the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy route. 

This will allow us to:

·       End the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy/Castlebay shared service and restore services on Barra and the Little Minch to what they were planned to be

·       Redeploy MV Clansman to Oban-Coll/Tiree/Colonsay, which she is much better suited to than the currently deployed MV Isle of Mull 

·       Redeploy MV Isle of Mull to Oban-Craignure and enhance services on that route

It does mean that Islay will be a single-vessel service with MV Finlaggan, and Arran will be a single-vessel service with MV Caledonian Isles until MV Alfred returns from overhaul to operate Troon-Brodick. 

It also assumes MV Isle of Arran and MV Lord of the Isles, our two major vessels currently off with technical issues, remain unavailable. 

This deployment plan would remain under review, and would be in place until MV Hebrides returns to service from planned annual maintenance, which is scheduled for Wednesday 15 April

We’re working today to confirm details of this potential deployment plan and will share full, detailed information tomorrow. “