Caledonian MacBrayne fleet

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MV Argyle being prepared to enter service in 2007.

The Caledonian MacBrayne fleet is the largest fleet of car and passenger ferries in the United Kingdom, with 34 units in operation and another 2 under construction. The company provides lifeline services to 23 islands off the west coast of Scotland, as well as operating routes in the Firth of Clyde.

Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) vessels can be readily identified by their black hulls and white superstructures. They have red funnels with black caps that display the Lion Rampant badge with masts in buff. The fleet can be categorised into various groups. Vessels are owned by the asset holding company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which is in turn wholly owned by the Scottish Government.

Groups of vessels[]

MV Isle of Lewis, the second-largest ship operated by Calmac

Major units[]

There are presently ten vessels over 80 metres (260 feet) in length in the CalMac fleet: MV Isle of Arran, MV Hebridean Isles, MV Isle of Mull, MV Lord of the Isles, MV Caledonian Isles, MV Isle of Lewis, MV Clansman, MV Hebrides, MV Finlaggan, and MV Loch Seaforth. These vessels usually operate on the longer crossings, with high passenger numbers.

MV Loch Seaforth, at 116 m (381 ft) in length the largest vessel in the fleet, operates on the Ullapool to Stornoway, Lewis crossing. MV Caledonian Isles has the highest passenger capacity and can carry 1000 people on the Ardrossan to Brodick, Arran crossing. MV Hebrides crosses The Minch from Uig, Skye, while MV Isle of Mull, MV Isle of Lewis and MV Clansman are based in Oban, serving Mull, Coll, Colonsay, Tiree and the Outer Hebrides. MV Lord of the Isles is based in Mallaig and serves Armadale and South Uist. MV Finlaggan and MV Hebridean Isles serve Islay from Kennacraig.[1] During the summer, MV Isle of Arran, replaced at Islay in 2011,[2] supplements the Ardrossan - Brodick service and sails to Campbeltown. She is a spare vessel during the winter months.

Two new dual fuel ferries are being built by Ferguson Marine Engineering.[3] The first, named MV Glen Sannox is due to enter service at Ardrossan,[4] and is now scheduled for delivery in mid 2023.[5] The second, Hull 802, is as yet unnamed.[6]

Clyde services[]

MV Argyle off Gourock

The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route is operated by two vessels, built in Poland, MV Bute (delivered in spring 2005) and MV Argyle, which entered service in 2007. There was much controversy following the decision to award the shipbuilding contracts to yards outside Scotland.[7] The streakers' removal from Rothesay was delayed by pier work to install an end-loading linkspan, allowing full ro-ro operation.[7]

The former Clyde ferries, MV Jupiter, MV Juno and MV Saturn had provided the Dunoon and Rothesay services for the best part of 35 years. They were nicknamed the "streakers", because of their speed and ability to manoeuvre rapidly both at sea and in port. Juno and Jupiter were withdrawn from service in 2010, and by June 2011 Juno had been broken up at Rosneath,[8] meanwhile Jupiter was sold to breakers in Denmark for recycling in that month.[9]

From 2002, the service to Dunoon was supplemented by passenger catamaran MV Ali Cat, owned by Solent and Wightline Cruises and chartered by CalMac from Red Funnel Line.[10] MV Saturn last served Dunoon on 29 June 2011, and was then scheduled to operate the summer relief on the Arran crossing.[11] From 30 June 2011, the Gourock - Dunoon service was awarded on a passenger-only basis to the newly formed David MacBrayne Ltd subsidiary Argyll Ferries.[12] Argyll Ferries purchased MV Ali Cat and a former Irish boat renamed MV Argyll Flyer to serve the route. Argyll Flyer was not available for the start of the passenger-only service due to prop shaft problems. The company leased the cruise boat MV Clyde Clipper from Clyde Cruises to start the service, but she was out of service with engine problems for most of the first day.[13]

Loch class[]

MV Loch Fyne approaching Fishnish

The Loch class are a group of smaller vessels with a single car deck, running the length of the ship, with a ramp at each end. They vary in length from 30.2 to 54.27 m (99 ft 1 in to 178 ft 1 in). Most are symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern. Passenger accommodation is down one or both sides of the ship. MV Loch Portain, MV Loch Buie and MV Loch Shira also have a lounge above the car deck. They operate on shorter crossings, usually between 5 and 30 minutes, although MV Loch Portain takes 70 minutes to cross the Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh.

The original four Loch class vessels were based on MV Isle of Cumbrae. At 30.2 m (99 ft 1 in) in length, they can carry 12 cars and 200 passengers.[1] The largest and newest, MV Loch Shira, is 54.27 by 13.90 m (178 ft 1 in by 45 ft 7 in) and can carry 32 cars and 250 passengers.[1] She was built for and has run on the Largs to Cumbrae route since 2007. A mere 7 cm (3 in) shorter, MV Loch Fyne and MV Loch Dunvegan were built for the Skye crossing. They were made redundant by the opening of the Skye Bridge and eventually found redeployment elsewhere.

Of similar design, but larger than the Loch class, MV Hallaig was launched in 2012 for the Raasay service. She is powered by a hybrid combination of batteries and a small diesel engine - a world first for a sea-going RO-RO vessel.[14] A second hybrid ferry, MV Lochinvar, was launched in May 2013 for the Tarbert to Portavadie route.[15] The third hybrid ferry, MV Catriona, was launched on 11 December 2015 and entered service on the Claonaig to Lochranza route in September 2016.[16]

Passenger-only vessels[]

MVs Argyll Flyer and Ali Cat

MV Argyll Flyer (244 passengers) and the catamaran MV Ali Cat (250 passengers) are passenger-only ferries used on the Gourock - Dunoon service. The ferries, formerly operated by Argyll Ferries, were acquired when the company was incorporated into Caledonian MacBrayne in January 2019.[17]

MV Chieftain

MV Chieftain is a passenger-only vessel leased from Clyde Marine to operate the Gourock to Kilcreggan service since June 2020. She has the capacity for 100 passengers.

Coruisk at Armadale

Other vessels[]

There are four vessels in the fleet which cannot be listed in the above categories.

MV Carvoria

MV Carvoria is a 12-metre-long (39-foot) vessel used on the Kerrera service. She was built in 2017 by Malakoff Limited in Shetland. She is a bow loading vessel of similar design to the Island Class vessels and can take twelve passengers and one car, although due to vehicle restrictions on Kerrera she rarely carries cars. She is the smallest vessel in the fleet.

MV Coruisk

MV Coruisk is a 65 m (213 ft) "sheltered water vessel", operating on the Oban to Craignure route in summer, and relieving on the Clyde in winter.[18] Her design allows her to make the crossing in reverse when sea conditions allow.[18]

Lochnevis calls at Canna.
MV Lochnevis

MV Lochnevis is a highly specialised ship serving the Small Isles of Eigg, Canna, Rùm and Muck from Mallaig. She is 49.2 m (161 ft 5 in) long, and has capacity for 190 passengers. Her vehicle deck can accommodate up to 14 cars, but is empty on most sailings due to the lack of roads and vehicle restrictions on the Small Isles. She is instead used mostly for goods and vital equipment for the islands. Lochnevis has a surprisingly large vehicle ramp, which dominates her appearance.[19] This allows her to berth a considerable distance from slipways, protecting her exposed Azipod propulsion systems in shallow waters.

MV Loch Frisa

MV Loch Frisa the former Norled ferry MV Utne was bought by Caledonian MacBrayne in 2021. She was built in 2015 and operated for Norled for 6 years. She was a double-ender ferry with passenger capacity for 195, and capacity for 40 cars, or 4 HGVs. She measures 50 m (164 ft 1 in) long by 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in) metres wide.[20][21] Following a naming competition, CMAL announced renaming as MV Loch Frisa.[22]

Fleet statistics[]

Name Cars Passengers Type Launched Shipbuilder Image
MV Isle of Cumbrae 18 160 Car ferry 1977 Ailsa Shipbuilding Company MV Isle of Cumbrae entering Oban Bay - geograph.org.uk - 1746915.jpg
MV Isle of Arran 80 448 Car ferry 1983 Ferguson Ailsa Ltd MV Isle of Arran, 22 October 2017.jpg
MV Hebridean Isles 68 507 Car ferry 1985 Cochrane Shipbuilders Ltd MV Hebridean Isles At Oban.jpg
MV Loch Striven 12 203 Car ferry 1986 R.Dunston MV Loch Striven Approaching Oban, 9 May 2017.jpg
MV Loch Linnhe 12 203 Car ferry 1986 R.Dunston Kilchoan to Tobermory Ferry - geograph.org.uk - 354337.jpg
MV Loch Riddon 12 203 Car ferry 1986 R.Dunston Largs pier and MV Loch Riddon.jpg
MV Loch Ranza 12 203 Car ferry 1987 R.Dunston MV Loch Ranza.jpg
MV Isle of Mull 80 962 Car ferry 1987 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Isle of Mull.jpg
MV Lord of the Isles 56 505 Car ferry 1989 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Lord of the Isles Approaching Lochboisdale, 10 May 2017.jpg
MV Loch Dunvegan II 36 200 Car ferry 1991 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Loch Dunvegan.jpg
MV Loch Fyne 36 200 Car ferry 1991 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Loch Fyne Approaching Mallaig, 11 May 2017.jpg
MV Loch Buie 10 250 Car ferry 1992 J W Miller & Sons Ltd "Loch Buie" arriving at Iona - geograph.org.uk - 983803.jpg
MV Loch Tarbert 18 142 Car ferry 1992 J W Miller & Sons Ltd MV Loch Tarbert Leaves Tobermory, 8 May 2017.jpg
MV Caledonian Isles 110 1000 Car ferry 1993 Richards (Shipbuilders) Ltd MV Caledonian Isles.JPG
MV Isle of Lewis 123 680 Car ferry 1995 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Isle of Lewis At Castlebay.jpg
MV Loch Bhrusda 18 150 Car ferry 1996 McTay Marine MV Loch Bhrusda At Leverburgh, 7 February 2015.jpg
MV Loch Alainn 24 150 Car ferry 1997 Buckie Shipbuilders Ltd MV Loch Alainn Arriving At Eriskay, 7 May 2017.jpg
MV Clansman V 90 683 Car ferry 1998 Appledore Shipbuilders MV Clansman Tarbert.jpg
MV Ali Cat 0 250 Passenger catamaran 1999 MV Ali Cat 30506.jpg
MV Lochnevis II 14 190 Car ferry 2000 Ailsa Shipbuilding Company MV Lochnevis Departs Mallaig, 11 May 2017.jpg
MV Hebrides III 110 612 Car ferry 2000 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Hebrides Approaching Uig, Skye, 9 May 2015.jpg
MV Argyll Flyer 0 244 Passenger ferry 2001 MV-Argyll-Flyer-110709.jpg
MV Loch Portain 32 146 Car ferry 2003 Feniks, Gdańsk and McTay Marine MV Loch Portain Approaching Leverburgh, 9 May 2016.jpg
MV Coruisk III 40 250 Car ferry 2003 Appledore Shipbuilders MV Coruisk Approaching Craignure, 8 May 2017.jpg
MV Bute VII 60 450 Car ferry 2005 Remontowa Group Eilean Bhoid arriving at Rothesay , Isle of Bute.jpg
MV Argyle VII 60 450 Car ferry 2006 Remontowa Group MV Argyle 4507d.jpg
MV Loch Shira 36 250 Car ferry 2006 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Loch Shira 2Aug09 stern.jpg
MV Chieftain 0 100 Passenger ferry 2007 Voyager Boatyard Gourock 210701a Chieftain approaching Kilcreggan Steps.jpg
MV Finlaggan 85 550 Car ferry 2010 Remontowa Group MV Finlaggan at Port Askaig.jpg
MV Hallaig 23 150 Hybrid Car ferry 2012 Ferguson Shipbuilders MV Hallaig Approaching Sconser, 9 May 2015.jpg
MV Lochinvar 23 150 Hybrid Car ferry 2013 Ferguson Shipbuilders Lochinvar (14541001762).jpg
MV Loch Seaforth 143 700 Car ferry 2014 Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft MV Loch Seaforth Departing Stornoway For Ullapool, 24 February 2015.jpg
MV Catriona 23 150 Hybrid Car ferry 2015 Ferguson Marine MV Catriona at Lochranza.jpg
MV Loch Frisa 40 195 Car ferry 2015 Sefine Shipyard

MF Utne Norled (140038).jpg

MV Carvoria 1 12 Car ferry 2017 MV Carvoria.jpg
MV Glen Sannox 127 1000 LNG Car ferry 2017 Ferguson Marine Glen Sannox.jpg
Hull 802 127 1000 LNG Car ferry Ferguson Marine Ferguson Hull 802.jpg

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "On Board Your Ferry: The CalMac Fleet". Caledonian MacBrayne. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Islay Ferry". Isle of Islay. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited announces Scottish shipbuilder as preferred tenderer for two large ferries contract". CMAL. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  4. ^ "CMAL announces name of first LNG ferry". CMAL. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Shortage Of Workers And Covid Disruption Delay Ferguson Ferries By A Further 15 Weeks". Inverclyde Now. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Public invited to help name CMAL's first LNG ferry". CMAL. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b "History of MV Bute". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  8. ^ "End of road for former Rothesay ferry". The Buteman. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  9. ^ "A tribute to MV Jupiter, 1973-2011". National Steam Ship Preservation forum. Archived from the original (video) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  10. ^ "The Fleet - Ali Cat". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  11. ^ "The Fleet - Saturn". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Gourock - Dunoon ferry". Transport Scotland. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  13. ^ Goodwin, David (1 July 2011). "Ferry Launch is hit by first-day breakdown". Greenock Telegraph. p. 2.
  14. ^ "History of Hallaig". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Hybrid Ferries Project". Caledonian Maritime Assets. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  16. ^ "New £12m CalMac hybrid ferry launched at Ferguson yard". BBC. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  17. ^ "CalMac takes over the tiller at Argyll Ferries". Argyll Ferries. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Coruisk (iii)". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  19. ^ "History - MV Lochnevis". Ships of Calmac. Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  20. ^ "New ferry purchased for CalMac Scottish Island Services". NI Ferry Site. 5 October 2021.
  21. ^ "UTNE (RoRo/Passenger Ship)". MarineTraffic. 5 October 2021.
  22. ^ "MV Loch Frisa". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.

External links[]

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