Islay ferry breakdown brings more disruption after Storm Ashley

"The Finlaggan has broken down, after weather cancellations yesterday," an islander told us. "Seemingly 100 cars on standby, no food delivered, and at least six distillery lorries need to go - that’s not including today’s lorries."

In an urgent update at 9.30am this morning, Islay Community Council informed: "The Finlaggan on passage from Kennacraig to Port Askaig has developed an fault in one of its thrusters, and the Master has declared it unsafe to berth in Port Askaig/Port Ellen given this issue. 

"They are only 30 mins out of Port Askaig, but they are turning around and going back to Kennacraig to try and fix the issue.

"They do believe they know what it is, and they will be able to fix it. But until they get back to Kennacraig, they will not know 100 per cent. 

"All ports have been made aware and they are working on this now informing all people at the ports waiting either end. Until they arrive back at Kennacraig and fix the issue we won’t know what the overall consequence is."

In a further update just before midday, Islay Community Council added: "They continue to investigate the issue on board the Finlaggan, it now appears it is more serious than they thought and will take longer to fix whilst berthed at Kennacraig."

As a result, it added, CalMac has cancelled the sailings listed below to give the ports time to manage the traffic, and the Finlaggan time to investigate and fix the problem, then do sea trials. 

CalMac’s website, which gives status updates on all its ferry crossings, explains: "Due to an ongoing technical issue affecting the starboard main engine on MV Finlaggan, the vessel was required to return to Kennacraig to allow safe berthing and repairs to be carried out.

"An update on the progress of the repairs will be provided at approximately 16:30. As a result of this the following sailings have now been cancelled:

Depart Kennacraig – 07:00 & 13:00
Depart Port Askaig – 09:45 & 15:30

"Due to repairs being carried out, the following sailings will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice: 

Depart Kennacraig – 18:00
Depart Port Askaig – 20:15

"Please note that essential traffic will be prioritised for these sailings. Any customers impacted by this will be contacted by the port directly."