FINLAGGAN

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Ferry suffered mechanical issue

On Oct 21 the 'Finlaggan', serving on the route Kennacraig-Port Ellen, suffered a technical issue affecting the vessel’s starboard main engine, and the vessel has been removed from service to allow further investigations in the port of Kennacraig. As a result, the departures from Kennacraig at 6 p.m. and on Oct 22 at 7 a.m. and from Port Ellen at 8.15 p,m. and on Oct 22 at 09.45 a.m. have been cancelled.

Finlaggan crew assisted community without power

On Jan 11, 2015, the "Finlaggan" came to the assistance of the community on the Isle of Harris. The island had been without power for approaching 48 hours. Opening up her gangway to members of the community from 4-8 p.m., the Master, Barry Scott, and his crew welcomed approximately 50 local residents on board and provided hot drinks and filled rolls, as well as offering them the chance to take a shower. Some who were aboard took hot water and food back to those who could not venture out, and also took the opportunity to re-charge mobile devices in case the telephone network was restored. Meanwhile the ship’s Chief Engineer and 2nd Engineer were able to apply their technical expertise at a local hotel, wiring an emergency generator to supply power.

New ferry broken down with engine problems, sailings cancelled

CALEDONIAN MacBrayne's new £25 million Islay ferry has broken down with engine problems, forcing the cancellation of its inaugural sailing. The firm said it was "very disappointed, to put it mildly" about the fault with the Polish-built Finlaggan. The ferry, which was due to enter service last Friday, two days after its naming ceremony, has an "unexplained component failure of the port (left] engine", a spokesman said. Another ferry has been drafted in to operate the service while engine maker Wartsila investigates the problem. MV Finlaggan is the first large ferry to be introduced into the CalMac fleet for ten years and is the first new ship to serve Islay in 40 years. It was intended to initially sail between Kennacraig and Port Askaig.