Corran Ferry suspended for further two days

The Corran Ferry is not expected to return before Friday, with contingency measures remaining in place as repairs continue to be made to the MV Maid of Glencoul.

 

An update from the Corran Ferry on Wednesday afternoon said: "The service will remain suspended for the next couple of days while further investigations take place. Sorry for inconvenience this will cause."

 

Scheduled vehicle ferry sailings across the Corran Narrows have been suspended since last week, with the vessel encountering a technical issue on Wednesday June 28.

 

Sailings between Ardgour on the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Corran on the mainland were initially cancelled due to a problem with the steering system.

 

Contingency measures have since been put in place for the vessel’s absence, including a free 12 passenger service from Nether Lochaber to Ardgour, which started from 6am on Saturday July 1, and a temporary foot passenger service from Fort William Pier to Ardgour.

 

The existing shuttle bus connecting to a Highland ferries foot passenger service between Fort William to Camusnagaul, which was running on an enhanced timetable, has also continued.

 

Vehicle crossings across the Corran Narrows, however, are still not possible.

 

In an update published on Monday July 3, the ferry service said it had identified the problem with the MV Maid of Glencoul and was getting a part machined locally and it had been hoped that it would return to service on Wednesday.

 

Highland Council, which operates the ferry, said last week that a specialist maritime engineer had been needed on site.

 

The chairperson of the Corran Ferry Steering Group, Fort William and Ardnamurchan SNP councillor Sarah Fanet, said: ‘’I am very pleased that contingency measures have been put in place quickly and this is a reminder of the importance of the existing foot passenger ferry service between Camusnagaul and Fort William, combined with a bus shuttle.

 

“I just want to thank all staff and crew who are doing everything they can to have this resolved as soon as possible.’’

 

Speaking of the latest disruption, the Scottish Parliament’s Deputy Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, said: “This is extremely disappointing news, but was always the risk when the return of the MV Corran was further delayed and the 47-year-old Maid of Glencoul was pressed into increased service.

 

“It is is another blow to the local communities left increasingly reliant on an unreliable ferry service, and who have already endured significant disruptions.

 

“It only highlights the urgent need for a long-term solution to address the ongoing issues plaguing this vital service.”

 

The busiest ferry route in Scotland has faced a difficult year, making national headlines when its two vessels  – the MV Maid of Glencoul and the MV Corran – were simultaneously out of service in the spring. This left the route without a car service for two months.

 

The MV Maid of Glencoul returned to service on Monday June 5, but the MV Corran remains absent after going for an overhaul in October 2022. It is currently awaiting the delivery from Germany of a new crown wheel gear for its propulsion unit.

 

The Highland Council expects the MV Corran to return in mid-August.