Why has a 'rudderless' CalMac ferry been out of action for 16 months

The Herald Scotland

04-06-2025

It comes as the normal Arran ferry . 32-year-old MV Caledonian Isles which was due out of its annual overhaul on February 17, last year remains out of service. The vessel was spotted going into dry dock 'rudderless' while returning to dry dock in Greenock this week with CalMac saying repairs were part of planned work to the vessel and that they were being reattached this week.
What is the MV Caledonian Isles?
Commissioned in 1993, the MV Caledonian Isles is a roll-on/roll-off passenger and vehicle ferry. It has been a cornerstone of the Arran ferry service, accommodating both residents and tourists traveling between Ardrossan and Arran. With a capacity for approximately 1,000 passengers and 110 cars, it is one of the largest and oldest vessels in the CalMac fleet.
Why has it been out of action?
The ferry was withdrawn from service in January 2024 for its scheduled annual overhaul but has remained out of circulation. During this maintenance period, engineers discovered significant issues, including deformed steel frames and damage to the port gearbox.
These findings led to extensive repairs, including steelwork replacements and gearbox overhauls.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ MORE:
£22m public cost expected as CalMac emergency ferry 'kept for another five months'
ScotGov raises 'doubt' on CalMac getting new ferry contract from October
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further complications arose when additional damage was identified during testing, leading to repeated delays in the vessel's return to service.
MV Caledonian Isles (Image: Newsquest) Some users speculated about whether it will be available for its planned return next week after it was spotted being taken back to dry dock near Greenock after some said it appeared "rudderless".
CalMac confirmed repairs to MV Caledonian Isles rudder were part of the planned work to the vessel and are being reattached this week.
CalMac says it is now due back on June 12.
How has this affected ferry services?
The prolonged absence of the MV Caledonian Isles has significantly impacted ferry services to Arran. CalMac has deployed alternative vessels, such as the MV Alfred and the MV Hebridean Isles, to maintain service on the route.
However, these vessels have smaller capacities and have faced their own mechanical issues, leading to reduced service reliability and capacity constraints. The disruptions have affected the local economy, tourism, and the daily lives of island residents.
MV Hebridean Isles has now retired, but the much-delayed and over-budget MV Glen Sannox has been online since January - seven years after it was scheduled to take passengers.
The loss has had a knock on effect across CalMac's Clyde and Hebrides lifeline island ferry network with disruption felt on islands as vessels are repositioned to try and provide the best service possible.
What are the financial implications?
The repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles have been costly, contributing to a broader financial strain on Scotland's ferry infrastructure. The cost of repairing MV Caledonian Isles was last estimated at £7m.
But the cost of chartering MV Alfred as an emergency ferry because of breakdowns to CalMac ageing ferry fleet is expected to run £22m after it was agreed it should remain for a further five months.
MV Alfred (Image: NQ) It was in March 2023, that the Scottish Government announced that it had chartered Alfred for nine months to supplement the fleet.
Over the past decade, nearly £100 million has been spent on repairs for Scotland's major ferries, with the MV Caledonian Isles accounting for a significant portion of this expenditure. These costs have sparked criticism regarding the management and maintenance of the ferry fleet, highlighting the need for investment in new vessels and infrastructure.
What does CalMac say?
Louis de Wolff, interim fleet management director for CalMac, said: 'We are now in the final stages of the repair plan for MV Caledonian Isles, and we're looking forward to seeing her back in service soon. She'll significantly increase capacity and frequency of service for Arran, operating from Ardrossan.
'We are looking forward to seeing the vessel back on the water for sea trials from this Sunday, which, given the length of time she has been off service, will be thorough and will include berthing trials at Ardrossan and Brodick.
'The extension to MV Alfred's charter will give the network much-needed resilience until the end of the summer timetable. Plans for her deployment are being finalised and will be announced soon.'