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Posted by
5368 posts

Not again.

Their newest ferry, the MV Alfred ran aground last year on the uninhabited Swona Island and has only just started a 9 month charter to CalMac to cover their fleet shortages.
The Pentalina (the one which has now gone aground) was Pentland ferries much older vessel (built in 2007), and had been out of service since the MV Alfred arrived in 2019.
She had only just been recommissioned and given a 9 month safety certificate days ago, to cover for the charter of the Alfred.
Pentland ferries original vessel, before the Pentalina, was the MV Claymore (an old CalMac ship) who herself was involved in an accident when working for Pentland ferries in 2003, during a storm.
Maybe the CalMac charter of the Alfred will have to be cancelled now.

But in very difficult waters 3 accidents in the 26 year history of the company is not bad.

Also all reports are that she was deliberately grounded after a fire in the engine room. In other words this was a controlled incident.

After the Alfred incident last year Northlink ran relief sailings on the Scrabster to Stromness route.

EDIT (2 MAY 2023)- the Alfred is currently continuing with her berthing trials across the Calmac network before commencing passenger service with them.

Posted by
5368 posts

It has now been confirmed in the Scottish Parliament that the Alfred cannot be recalled from Calmac to cover Pentland ferries sailings while the Pentalina is repaired.
She is not expected back into service before July.

There is currently massive speculation about which CalMac route the Alfred will cover, but she is presently in Ayr for modifications before entering CalMac service.

Posted by
5368 posts

The Pentalina returns to service on Monday 29 May

Posted by
573 posts

Pentland delayed the resumption of service thru June 11. If you're planning on the route this summer, keep an eye on the website!

Posted by
5368 posts

Also check the Northlink website as they have introduced extra late night sailings between Scrabster and Stromness on Thursday to Saturday and Monday to help to cover passenger loads, to run until 30 June. There are also a few extra Northlink calls at Kirkwall on the Shetland to Aberdeen route.
The extra sailings by Northlink will also affect those using the Bed and Breakfast facility on the Hamnavoe, who now have an earlier check in time at Stromness, and get to enjoy an extra voyage to Scrabster and back!
The Pentalina is currently in dry dock at Birkenhead, England for repairs.
Not good for Pentland ferries to announce a return date, then have to rescind it.

Posted by
1376 posts

It looks as though ferry services to the Uists are going to hell in a handbasket. On top of everything else, the Uig to Lochmaddy route is not allowing motorhomes on the ferries. Of course, this would happen as the islands enter peak tourist season.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65805354

www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23566720.motorhomes-ban-call-sackings-amidst-islanders-ferry-cuts-demo/

Stuart, you have boots on the ground nearby. Can you keep us posted on what's happening?

I hope that none of you are affected by this ferry chess match!

Best wishes to all.

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
5368 posts

There is no service to South Uist (Lochboisdale) for the whole of June due to the route vessel-Lord of the Isles- being repositioned to Islay to cover for the Hebridean Isles, while the other Islay route vessel (the Finlaggen is away on a much delayed refit).
So you either divert to Uist on the Oban to Castelebay route then there are additional relief sailings on the Barra to Eriskay route to drive across the causeway from Eriskay to South Uist; or divert to Uig on Skye for the Uig to Lochmaddy (North Uist) route.
Additional late night relief sailings have also been added to the Lochmaddy route on a Wednesday and Friday night.
You could also fly into Benbecula (from Glasgow) and rent a car.
Islay needs a two ferry service due to the amount of whisky freight traffic, and unfortunately the Isle of Arran (the other vessel currently on the route) has severe technical restrictions on the amount of freight she can carry (all very technical, and way beyond my understanding, there is also an issue with block booking of space by the main Islay haulier which is very island politics).
The Hebridean Isles has been away for months, she failed further sea trials at the end of May with serious propulsion problems and is stuck in Troon for ongoing repairs.
The Alfred (the other Pentland ferries vessel) was hired to cover exactly this kind of scenario. Unfortunately she doesn't fit the ramps at Oban, Kennacraig and Port Ellen- and it has now been stated she doesn't fit Campbeltown ramp either. So the only place she could run an Islay service from is Troon- too long a voyage, also doubtful if the MCA would give her a ticket for Troon to Islay given the nature of the waters. So she just remains on Arran for now- seemingly the only route she can cover!!
With the Isle of Arran on the Islay route the Ardrossan to Brodick to Campbeltown is also suspended until end June- it's 3rd or 4th suspension this year.
CalMac's chartered relief freight vessel- the MV Arrow- has been sold to Isle of Man Steam Packet- which just compounds the issue.
That happened because the new Manxman was delayed in build in South Korea- she is currently in Muscat on her delivery voyage to the Isle of Man.

Posted by
1376 posts

If nothing else, this situation demonstrates how much the Islands depend on ferry transportation. I have to say that in many many years of visiting Scotland, I've never had my plans interrupted by changes in ferry schedules. I remember a wild voyage on the Lochinvar from Mallaig to Armadale, in the only year that the Lochinvar served that route. Our blue hired car had turned almost completely white from the sea spray.

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
5368 posts

I saw the Finlaggen (the Islay route vessel) in Leith Docks, Edinburgh today.
Looking across from Newhaven she was behind the Britannia and the Fingal, and forward of the Tallink Victoria- the cruise ferry which is currently housing refugees and asylum seekers.

Posted by
5368 posts

The repairs to the MV Pentalina have now been completed. She has been duly certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
She departed from Birkenhead at 0800 BST this morning, and as I write is well north of the Isle of Skye on passage back to Gills Bay, where she is due at 0800 BST on Monday 12 June.
After statutory crew rest she is due to re-enter service per the timetable on Tuesday 13 June, at 0640 from St Margaret's Hope.