The deliberate return to service of a CalMac ferry after 18 months of repairs has been delayed by a last-minute technical hitch.
MV Caledonian Isles has been unable to hold passengers since January 2024 on account of a collection of faults which have value almost £11m to repair.
The 32-year-old ship had been on account of resume sailings from Ardrossan to Arran on Friday morning however sea trials revealed a brand new downside with the ship’s gearbox.
CalMac stated it will now be Tuesday on the earliest earlier than Caledonian Isles might return however sailings from Troon would nonetheless be obtainable within the meantime.
MV Caledonian Isles was initially taken out of service in January final yr after routine annual upkeep revealed critical metal corrosion.
Months of main restore work came about in dry dock at Cammell Laird shipyard in Merseyside, requiring removing of the ship’s engines.
Upon the ship’s return to Scotland in September, a gearbox and propeller fault have been detected, and additional investigation at Dale’s Marine in Greenock revealed the rear of the ship was twisted.
A spokesperson for CalMac stated the newest gearbox fault was believed to be comparatively minor and the crew have been working to deal with it, however additional sea trials could be required earlier than the ship returns to service.
“While this might be disappointing information, a two-vessel service from Troon will stay in place for now to make sure Arran has a dependable service with applicable capability,” they stated.
“We feature out sea trials to establish and handle points and that’s what we have accomplished right here.
“It has been an extended street to get thus far with MV Caledonian Isles and, within the context of the place we have been, we’re nonetheless assured we’ll see her carrying passengers between Ardrossan and Brodick imminently.”
Companies from Troon, about 15 miles additional south on the Ayrshire coast, might be supplied by the brand new ferry MV Glen Sannox and the chartered catamaran Alfred.
