CALEDONIAN ISLES

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Latest news

Ferry may have to return to dry dock due to pitch control issue

After the 'Caledonian Isles' ran into problems during sea trials which unearthed issues with the ship's gearbox, engineers have been working around the clock to get to the root of the problem, with the ferry berthing at Fairlie Quay while further trials were undertaken. The ferry had spent eight months in Greenock undergoing repairs over the winter after returning to the Clyde in September following work at the Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside. Engineers have now teamed up with the original manufacturers of equipment on the ship to resolve the 'pitch control issue. The works were said to be progressing as a priority, however, the operator CalMac feared that the ship may require to return to dry dock in order for such repairs to be carried out ahead of a return to service.

Ferry will not be back when Alfred is off

The 'Caledonian Isles' will not return to service by July 7, the date when the 'Alfred' comes off-service for essential maintenance until July 21. Last week, deployment plans were shared for the whole network based on having thf 'Caledonian Isles' and on the basis of not having her. Now CalMac will be implementing the deployment plan which accounts for not having the vessel in service. This plan covers the two-week period July 7-21, when the 'Alfred' is off service, taking into account the 'Lord of the Isles' being off service for between July 9-11 for cylinder head works on her main engines. These works are essential to reducing the risk of a serious failure in the engines which would take the vessel out of service for much longer than three days and cause further disruption. Potential deployment from July 22 onwards will be shared at a later date and are subject to further developments with the 'Caledonian Isles'.

Ferry's return delayed again

The 'Caledonian Isles' has returned to the drydock in Ardrossan on June 20 for further investigations into the ongoing issue with the pressure levels in the propulsion system.. Following attendance by divers and discussions with the manufacturer, the vessel was to be moved to drydock in the next stage of efforts to resolve the issue. Calmac wss initally unable to confirm a return to service date until the vessel has been docked and inspected. The ferry started sea trials on June 26 with external contractors of Kongsberg, the manufacturer, continuing to provide support as trials progressrf with the issue in the propeller hub resolved. The work on the issue with the offset in the pitch response and engine loads for both the port side and starboard side engines were continued. From that inspection, there are a range of scenarios and outcomes which could see a fix take anything from a few days to significantly longer. To give certainty to communities and customers, CalMac was working at speed to review deployment plans for the next few weeks and will publish any amendments to timetables early next week. We see three phases of deployment plans, detailed below. Until July 6, the 'Alfred' and 'Glen Sannox' will continue to operate Arran’s service with no other changes. Arran will have a single-vessel service with the 'Glen Sannox' for one day next week to June 25, due to the 'Alfred' requiring an essential day off-service for mandatory MES training. Furthermore, the 'Alfred' requires essential maintenance, which has already been delayed once to support network requirements, between July 7 and 21. The 'Lord of the Isles' is due to be off-service for three days between July 9 and 11 for cylinder head works in Oban too. Therefore, deployment plans to cover all routes for this period are being developed and more information will follow on these next week. From July 22 until Sep 18, when the 'Isle of Arran' goes to annual overhaul, CalMac will again develop a plan for this period once they have more information available.