We have had a whole bunch of news today regarding changes to schedules and vessel deployments from the end of March to early May
Services to the Isle of Arran - Cammell Laird at Birkenhead had advised that the MV Caledonian Isles would return to service on 27 March. This is now deferred to 28 April.
Therefore the Port of Ardrossan will remain CLOSED until 28 April with the MV Alfred (on extended charter) and MV Glen Sannox both operating from Troon. Timetables are to be amended accordingly.
Services to Coll and Tiree- The MV Clansman and MV Hebrides are both delayed in dry dock. Thus the MV Lord of the Isles will now operate this service as timetabled up until 8 April
Services to Craignure (Isle of Mull)- Due to a lack of main fleet ships this service will run with two small ships- the MV Loch Frisa and the MV Coruisk from 3 April until further notice. This will lead to a heavy loss of capacity for vehicle and foot passengers thus booking for cars and foot pax is required. Some pre-booked vehicles will be displaced to the Fishnish and Tobermory routes
Services from Mallaig to Armadale- Due to the MV Coruisk being redeployed to Craignure from 3 April until further notice (probably early June) this route will run as a single vessel route, with a loss of capacity. Some pre-booked traffic will be unable to travel (so will have to use the Skye Bridge) and new bookings will be in short supply
Services from Oban to Barra and Lochboisdale- Until 22 March the MV Isle of Mull is deployed to this route pair running a combined service on her restricted 45 pax certificate (all pax must pre book, foot and vehicle). Some booked traffic will be re-routed via UIg (Skye) to Lochmaddy;
From 23 March to 8 April and 23 April to 8 May the MV Isle of Mull will run from Oban to Lochboisdale on her restricted 45 pax certificate so all pax (foot and vehicle) MUST book. Mallaig to Lochboisdale sailings will be cancelled and some booked traffic diverted via Castlebay and Eriskay (from Oban) OR via Uig (Skye) to Lochmaddy.
The MV Isle of Lewis is now delayed at Dales Marine Shipyard, Aberdeen until late March. When she returns she will run the Oban to Castlebay service from 23 March
From 9 April to 22 April and from 14 May the MV Lord of the Isles will operate as scheduled from Mallaig to Lochboisdale.
All of this will mean that services from Uig to North Uist and Harris will be busier than normal for the time being
The MV Isle of Mull will be withdrawn from service on or around 8 May for a period of around 4 weeks for replacement of her marine evacuation system.