Further ferry trouble on CalMac's Ullapool-Stornoway route after relief vessel MV Isle of Arran suffers 'technical issue'

A RELIEF ferry drafted in to help out on the Ullapool-Stornoway route after the MV Loch Seaforth suffered engine failure has itself now been hit by a fault.

The MV Isle of Arran has been filling in on the overnight freight sailings while the Loch Seaforth has been away getting major repairs on the Clyde.

But the MV Isle of Arran’s 1am sailing from Stornoway and the 5am sailing from Ullapool were both cancelled on Wednesday due to an unspecified “technical issue”.

The fault has left more egg on the face of CalMac bosses, who have been under increasing fire from frustrated islanders in the wake of the Loch Seaforth’s breakdown.

As well as only being able to ferry a far smaller number of freight lorries – causing knock-on supply problems for Lewis and Harris – the temporary relocation of the MV Isle of Arran to the Minch has also caused major headaches for residents and businesses on Arran and Kintyre. It has resulted in the main Ardrossan-Brodick route being reduced to one ferry, and the planned start of seasonal sailings to Campbeltown being halted until their return.

As of 9am on Wednesday morning CalMac was still expecting the MV Loch Seaforth to be out of action until May 17 “at the earliest”. The MV Isle of Lewis is currently filling in on the daytime sailings, with the MV Isle of Arran doing the overnight freight.

Related news: Major repairs spark further delay to CalMac ferry's return

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