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Services to the Outer Isles faced serious disruption on Wednesday 3^rd and Thursday 4^th after CLANSMAN developed problems with her rudders.

Both LORD OF THE ISLES and HEBRIDEAN ISLES operated combined services between Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist.

Caledonian MacBrayne has warned passengers travelling from Tobermory to Kilchoan that they will not be reimbursed for accommodation or travel expenses if the last ferry back is full.

A notice at Kilchoan warns people to arrive back at Tobermory in good time for the ferry or face a night on Mull at their own expense. CalMac has recently received demands for reimbursement from travellers stranded on Mull.

Following a substantial rise in fuel costs over the year, the Management of the WAVERLEY and BALMORAL are asking passengers to pay a £1 surcharge per adult ticket to keep operating.

This is the first time fares have been adjusted in the middle of a summer season. Using 10,000 litres of fuel a day, WAVERLEY is expensive to run. Fuel costs have risen by 40% over the previous year. Having escaped the breakers yard, it would be very sad if she were sunk by the cost of fuel.

WAVERLEY plays an important role in the tourist industry within the West of Scotland. Although BALMORAL usually sails on the Bristol Channel, she always makes an appearance on the Clyde in September when WAVERLEY sails down, not only to the Bristol Channel, but also to the Thames Estuary.

Caledonian MacBrayne have added a fourth crewman to the LOCH LINNHE raising the passenger limit to 120. Previously she could only carry 75. CalMac were criticized after passengers were left behind at Tobermory over night because the last ferry to Kilchoan could not carry all those who were wishing to travel back.

CalMac have looked at the traffic on the Tobermory-Kilchoan route. Between June 22^{nd and} August 3rd the ship was full on only five occasions and four of those sailings were on August 2^nd.

RAASAY is at The Corpach Boatbuilding Company for overhaul at the present time. CANNA has still to be overhauled. CLANSMAN recently berthed stern first at Oban, which means she probably berthed bow in at the Islands.

Oban’s new ferry terminal was officially opened by Transport Minister, Tavish Scott MSP on Tuesday 16^th during which time he praised the architecture of the building and emphasised the need for a second linkspan.

The terminal will not achieve its full potential until the new linkspan is built. When it is in place passengers will walk directly from the terminal onto the ships.

Lawrie Sinclair, Caledonian MacBrayne’s Managing Director expects over 850 passengers to use the terminal every year. He is confident that those who use the terminal will agree that it offers first class facilities.

Scotland’s only working square-rigged tall ship, JEAN DE LA LUNE, is usually a familiar sight in Oban and around the islands during the summer months.

This year she has been taking part in the Tall Ships Race From Waterford, Ireland to Cherbourg, France and from Newcastle to Fredrikstad, Norway.Before starting the Race she visited Whitehaven, Cumbria, for The Maritime Festival, which was an outstanding success.

After leaving Cherbourg she sailed in the “ Cruise in Company” to Newcastle where thousands of spectators lined the Tyne to see the parade of ships.

The second leg of the Race was from Newcastle to Fredrikstad Unfortunately the ships were met with appalling sea conditions in the North Sea immediately after leaving the shelter of the River Tyne. The Captain of JEAN DE LA LUNE, John Reid, made the difficult decision to turn back and retire from the Race.

JEAN DE LA LUNE made her way back to Oban by going through the Caledonian Canal. £145 was raised in collections from members of the public on the way through the Canal. This will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

ISLE OF MULL and CLANSMAN changed rosters at 1400 today (19/08) with the Mull sailing to Castlebay at 1430. CLANSMAN carried out the Craignure service to enable her to do an extra sailing to Tiree for the lamb sales.

Later on Friday 19^th LORD OF THE ISLES carried out an extra return sailing from Oban to Craignure at 1515. This was due to the excessive number of passengers wishing to travel to Mull on the 1000 ex Oban. While CLANSMAN can only carry up to 600, a total of 727 were attempting to make the journey. After returning to Oban, LOTI carried out her scheduled run to Colonsay. Perhaps CalMac should be moving SATURN up to Oban?

CORUISK ran 15 minutes late throughout Saturday 20^th due to heavy traffic. For unknown reasons she was running bow first, possibly meaning that buses would have to reverse on. Every load was around 30 cars. It is encouraging to see that this service is still well used, albeit at the weekends, in spite of the scrapping of tolls on the Skye Bridge.

LOCHNEVIS was unable to use her gangway at Mallaig during the afternoon because of the low tide. While the cargo was loaded and unloaded by crane, passengers had to wait until CORUISK vacated the linkspan to disembark. She departed on her next trip 15 minutes late.

Stormy weather conditions swept across the Western Isles last night (23/08) disrupting ferry services. Although the winds abated today (24/08) certain runs were cancelled or re-scheduled.

The 1800 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen was diverted to Port Askaig which meant that this morning’s 0945 sailing departed from Port Askaig instead of Port Ellen.

Yesterday’s 1530 sailing from Oban to Castlebay and Lochboisdale was cancelled. This meant that this morning’s 0700 and 0900 return sailings were unable to run. The next sailings to the Outer Isles should be as per timetable (Castlebay at 1340, Lochboisdale, Thursday at 1510). Any traffic wishing to travel to Lochboisdale can do so by crossing from Uig to Lochmaddy. A special sailing on the Sound of Barra service connected with today’s 1340 run from Oban. CalMac arranged transport from Oban for foot passengers wishing to travel from Uig to Lochmaddy.

ISLE OF LEWIS was running up to 1.15 minutes late today. The 1900 sailing ex Stornoway and the 2200 ex Ullapool were cancelled.

The islanders of Lismore have given their strongest indication yet that they want a car ferry service at the north of the island.

176 responses were received following a Scottish Executive consultation exercise. 114 supported a ferry service at the north of the island from Point to Port Appin.45 preferred the present service from Oban to Achnacroish while the remaining 17 had no preference.

The figures will reveal more after they have been broken down and analysed islanders are concerned because the survey was open to anyone.

Farmers, tourists and young people may welcome a new ferry, however the elderly would prefer to keep the direct link with Oban.

The HEBRIDEAN SPIRIT, sister ship to the HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS, made a surprise visit to Oban recently while on a nine day cruise from Helsingborg, Sweden to Poole, Dorset.

After visiting the Island of Rum , she sailed down the Sound of Mull, into the Bay, then sailed south through the Sound of Kerrera and the Sound of Luing.

LOCH BHRUSDA missed her 0920 sailing from Ardmhor this morning (31/08)due to a technical problem. She ran forty minutes late throughout the morning but managed to catch up by the afternoon.