Arran Banner Letters – week 08, 2025

Transparency on ferry cancellations

Sir,

I was interested to read in last Friday’s Banner (Friday February 14) that a spokesman for CalMac was pleased with the how resilient the Glen Sannox has "proven particularly when operating in weather conditions which have led to other services on the network being disrupted".

In that case can someone explain why on February 10 and 11 last week the Glen Sannox was on alert due to adverse weather? Not one other route on the network was affected. I think a lot of people would be interested to know which forecast is being used as the Met Office inshore waters forecast for those two days was: “Tuesday February11 at 11.46am. Easterly, veering south-easterly later, four to six. Sea state: Slight or moderate in north channel, but elsewhere smooth or slight. Weather: Showers, perhaps wintry in far north, but becoming fair. Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate at first.”

There seems to be no logic in when the boat is on alert due to weather conditions and I know the stock answer is "it’s the master’s decision". Do none of the powers that be realise the level of anxiety created by this lottery and how many people choose to alter travel plans (often incurring extra costs) in order to make sure appointments, etc, are kept? So please, can we have some transparency as to what criteria is used and how the decision is made to place the boat on alert, which may help us to make informed decisions about whether to travel or not.

Yours,

Marilyn Woods,

Shiskine.