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Wind warnings add to CalMac's Easter challenge

Christopher Brindle A black and white ship with red funnelsChristopher Brindle
Glen Sannox is expected back in service on the Arran route, but CalMac says it remains under pressure

High wind forecasts have added to ferry operator CalMac's problems as it prepares for the Easter weekend with several of its largest vessels still out of action.

MV Glen Sannox is expected to return to the Arran route later on Thursday after repairs to its exhaust system, but elsewhere the firm will be covering routes with a limited number of ships.

Chief executive Duncan Mackison said a yellow weather warning for the weekend had compounded its difficulties with forecasters predicting occasional gusts of up to 90mph (145kmph).

He said services in the Outer Hebrides and across Coll, Tiree and Colonsay were the most heavily disrupted, and he apologised to customers.

"We are working towards restoring a level of normality to those by the middle of next week," he said.

The return of Glen Sannox, subject to sea trials, means the busy Arran route will again have a two ferry service, provided sailings are not disrupted by the weather.

The Islay route will also be served by two ferries as MV Finlaggan is joined by the newest ferry, MV Isle of islay, which entered service on Tuesday.

Later next week, once the severe weather has passed, CalMac is planning to reposition Glen Sannox to restore sailings between Barra and Oban while Isle of Islay will move to the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy route.

That would free up other vessels to be redeployed, although it says its plans are under constant review.

The state-owned operator has faced what it described as "unprecedented" and "critical" vessel shortages since last week due to technical faults and other ships being away for their scheduled annual maintenance and inspections.

CalMac ferries still out of action

Four vessels under annual maintenance.

  • MV Alfred (Due back 6 April)
  • MV Loch Frisa (Due back 9 April)
  • MV Hebrides (Due back 15 April)
  • MV Isle of Lewis (Due back late May)

Three vessels with technical problems.

  • MV Isle of Arran (Off since 25 March)
  • MV Lord of the Isles (Off since 28 March)
  • MV Isle of Cumbrae (Off since 30 March)