Western Isles ferry crisis 'unendurable'

The Isle of Mull lost its CalMac ferry namesake from last Thursday to Monday, when it dashed up to the Western Isles to replace the MV Hebrides, under repair for a second fault in its firefighting system within a week.

 

The MV Hebrides, which runs the 'Uig Triangle' from Uig on Skye to Harris and North Uist, had only just returned to service on Friday July 29 after the first fault was fixed. A second fault then hit MV Hebrides on Tuesday August 2.

 

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomed the MV Isle of Mull's redeployment to the Little Minch. The Comhairle said Harris and Uist suffered a net loss of capacity of 2,000 car spaces in the three days when MV Hebrides was out of service.

 

Its 'relieved' chairman of transportation, councillor Uisdean Robertson, said: 'There are no easy decisions for CalMac until there is adequate investment in the fleet.'

 

Na h-Eileanan an Iar's SNP MP and MSP raised the disruptions with Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth MSP.

 

Angus MacNeil MP said: 'Clearly, at a time when the islands are making money in the summer, this is a terrible time for them to breakdown. Everyone is gobsmacked that the same system affects the same boat in a matter of days.

 

Alasdair Allan MSP said: 'I appreciate the uniqueness of the situation CalMac faces in having a firefighting system repaired and cleared by the MCA, only to see the same issue re-occur days later.

 

'However, that’s of no solace to the communities that have seen their vessel taken out of service for the fifth time this year. It’s ultimately islanders that pay the price. The current situation is unendurable.'

 

CalMac's 'deeply sorry' managing director Robbie Drummond said: 'Moving vessels around is not ideal but without any spare tonnage to use during disruption, it is often the only available option we have to continue to operate lifeline services.'