Ferry operator CalMac recently had to cancel its plan to charter a large ship from the Isle of Man to help ease the strain on Scotland’s west coast ferry services during the winter months.
CalMac conducted a berthing trial with the MV Ben-My-Chree on the Arran route, but unfortunately, the trial was unsuccessful. The ship was able to dock at both Troon and Brodick, but the safety margins at Brodick were too narrow to move forward with the charter plan.
The Ben-My-Chree, which translates to “girl of my heart” in Manx language, is currently used as a backup vessel for Isle of Man ferry services. The 125m (410ft) ship is wider than the CalMac ships typically operating on the Arran route, leading to difficulties in berthing at Brodick.
CalMac’s interim chief executive, Duncan Mackison, expressed that although the vessel successfully docked, it was operating at the edge of safe limits, relying heavily on favorable conditions. Given the winter conditions in Scotland, it was deemed unsafe and impractical to operate under such circumstances.
Despite the setback, CalMac assured that there would be no immediate negative impact on its services and that they would continue exploring other options for additional ferry capacity.
Looking ahead, CalMac anticipates a challenging winter season with several large ferries potentially out of service for repairs or maintenance. The main Arran ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, has been undergoing repairs since February, with additional faults in the gearbox extending the timeline for return. MV Hebridean Isles is set for retirement next month due to recertification issues, and other vessels will undergo scheduled maintenance over the winter.
The delayed delivery of new ships, including the dual-fuel Glen Sannox and ferries from Turkey, adds to the strain on CalMac’s aging fleet. With many ships exceeding their expected service life, spare parts are becoming scarce and challenging to source.
As CalMac navigates these challenges, the cancellation of the charter plan serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in maintaining efficient ferry services along Scotland’s west coast during the winter months.