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ISLE OF ARRAN hit a rock 500 yards from Oban on Saturday 28^th. Apparently the Master went round a buoy the wrong way.

The vessel was on her way to Birkenhead for a dry-dock inspection and repairs this morning.

PENTALINA B (ex IONA) is on her way to Kennacraig to help with freight runs.

Source: John MacLure and Stuart McMahon-Clydesite, Gary Andrews-Ferries of Northern Europe.

The Kennacraig-Port Ellen-Port Askaig routes will be operating a reduced timetable until further notice.

18.00 Kennacraig - Port Ellen Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.

Wednesdays - No Kennacraig to Colonsay service. Colonsay service available from Oban at 15.30 on Wednesdays.

Caledonian MacBrayne very much regrets any inconvenience caused by this necessary alteration to the current timetable service.

Mr Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd was the speaker at the March Club meeting, which took place on Friday 27^th.

Mr Ross’s views on ferry services around Scotland have been somewhat controversial in recent years. This was reflected in the outstanding turnout by the Club members.

Mr Ross opened his presentation by talking about the early years of Western Ferries on the Islay route from Kennacraig. He included an interesting selection of photographs of the vessels owned by the company at that time namely SOUND OF ISLAY, SOUND OF JURA and SOUND OF GIGHA.

Mr Ross devoted a large part of his presentation on HIGHLAND SEABIRD, the fast craft introduced to service during the early 1980s. She saw service on the Clyde and Western Isles, but was ultimately unsuccessful and was sold from the company.

Mr Ross concluded his presentation by discussing the present fleet in the company and the level of service they offer.

A new ferry service between the former oilrig construction yard at Ardyne, at the south end of the Cowal Peninsular, and Port Bannatyne, on Bute, could open in the future. If Argyll and Bute Council provide the roads then Mr Ross will provide the ferries.

The Club President, Ian Somerville, then opened a questions and answers session from the Club members. Mr Ross spent almost as much time taking questions from the floor as he did on his presentation.

A lot of the questions were controversial with the subject of subsidies to the fore.

Mr Ross took the questions head-on and did not hold back on answering them.

Altogether this was an extremely interesting and entertaining evening and gave the Club membership an insight into the running of ferry companies in Scotland and the politics involved.

Thanks are due to John Newth for his assistance with photographs and the powerpoint presentation.

Iain Quinn gave the Vote of Thanks, wishing Western Ferries much success in the future, as he did so.

HEBRIDES sailed to Oban on Friday where she will take up CLANSMAN's roster. The two vessels will exchange rosters at sea in time for the summer timetable.

It has become apparent that the new Islay vessel will not fit the Port Askaig and Kennacraig terminals as well as Port Ellen.

The next Club meeting, the Annual General Meeting, will be on Friday 24^th April. After the formal business is completed Past President, Robert Warnock, will give a slide presentation.

All meetings are held in The Kirk Lounge, Renfield St Stephens Church Hall, Bath Street, Glasgow commencing at 19.30.

The weather has taken its toll on the Caledonian MacBrayne network throughout the Western Isles over the last few days.

On Thursday 26^th ISLE OF LEWIS was sailing on a sailing by sailing basis while the overnight freight service by MUIRNEAG was cancelled.

The 10.00 and 15.30 sailings from Berneray and the 16.40 sailing from Leverburgh were cancelled (LOCH BHRUSDA). The next sailing was on Friday at 07.15 from Berneray.

On Thursday the Uig-Lochmaddy service was cancelled. An extra sailing departed from Lochmaddy to Uig at 07.30 on Friday. CLANSMAN then took up the scheduled sailing at 09.40to Lochmaddy.

Sailings between Uig and Tarbert were cancelled on Thursday. The 07.30 departure from Tarbert to Uig on Friday was also cancelled.

The Thursday sailing from Oban to the Outer Isles and the return on Friday were cancelled.

Sailings on the Sound of Barra (LOCH ALAINN) were subject to disruption but a few crossings were successfully achieved.

Sailings from Oban to Coll and Tiree were on Amber Alert as were sailings to Iona.

There were no sailings to Iona (LOCH BUIE) between 12.30 and 15.00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to low tides.

The Oban-Craignure service (ISLE OF MULL) was on Amber Alert on Thursday.

The 18.00 departure from Kennacraig on Thursday night (HEBRIDEAN ISLES) was diverted to Port Askaig, which meant that the 20.45 return left from Port Askaig not Port Ellen as timetabled.

The weather had not abated by Friday 27^th bring further disruptions to the ferry network.

The 17.35 sailing between Ullapool and Stornoway was cancelled meaning that the 07.00 return on Saturday was also cancelled. The overnight freight service was also cancelled.

The 18.00 sailing from Uig to Lochmaddy was cancelled. The service was rescheduled for 05.00 on Saturday.

The Coll and Tiree service remained on Amber Alert, as did the Craignure service.

However the 18.00 sailing ex Oban and the 19.00 return from Craignure were cancelled.

Friday’s service from Oban to Colonsay was cancelled. The next sailing was at 15.30 on Saturday (ISLE OF ARRAN). She then left Colonsay at 18.00 and sailed onto Kennacraig where she arrived at 21.00.

The 18.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Askaig was diverted to Port Ellen. The 04.15 departure on Saturday left from Port Ellen not Port Askaig.

The only sailing, which was cancelled, was the 07.30 service from Mallaig to The Small Isles (LOCHNEVIS). The situation was reviewed for the 14.25 sailing.

Today’s 09.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen and the 12.50 return have been cancelled for technical reasons. The 0700 sailing from Port Ellen tomorrow is rescheduled to depart at 04.15 and the 09.45 sailing from Kennacraig is cancelled.

The Sound of Harris service is facing further disruptions due to tidal restrictions today.

The 16.15 sailing from Berneray and the 17.25 sailing from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 11.15 and from Leverburgh at 12.30. The normal summer timetable resumes tomorrow.

Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that tomorrow’s sailings from Oban to Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist may be disrupted due to the weather.

Due to operational reasons the following sailings, on the Islay route, have been cancelled or are sailing to an amended timetable:

Customers of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne are reminded that the Summer Timetable comes into effect on Friday March 27, 2009.

The freight service between Ullapool and Stornoway(MUIRNEAG) is cancelled tonight due to a heavy swell and the adverse weather conditions.
The Berneray - Leverburgh (Sound of Harris) service(LOCH BHRUSDA) is facing delays and disruptions from Thursday 26^th until Sunday 29^th due to adverse tidal conditions.

Thursday 26^th11.10 sailing from Berneray and 12.20 sailing from Leverburgh .

On Thursday there will be an additional sailing at 10.00 from Berneray.

Friday 27^th 11.35 sailing from Leverburgh and 13.30 sailing from Berneray .

Saturday 28^th 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and 11.35 & 14.45 sailings from Leverburgh. On Saturday there will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.35 and from Leverburgh at 10.45.

Sunday 29^th 16.15 sailing from Berneray and 17.25 sailing from Leverburgh .

On Sunday there will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 11.15 and from Leverburgh at 12.30.

The ferry service between Fionnphort and Iona (LOCH BUIE) is still operating a restricted timetable due to essential repair work to the Iona slipway.

HEBRIDES arrived on the Clyde on the morning of Sunday 14^th. After calling at Gourock she sailed to the James Watt Dock where LOCH PORTAIN had been sitting since Friday 6^th.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne, Ships of CalMac. www.calmac.co.uk www.shipsofcalmac.net/

The cruise vessel HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS will be calling at the following Western Isles ports during April.

Oban 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th 08.00-19.00. Fort William 1^st, Lismore 1^st (pm), Jura 4^th, Gigha 5^th, Colonsay 6^th, Iona 7^th and 17^th, Tobermory 8^th and 15^th, Rum 10^th, Gairloch 11^th and 19^th, Ullapool 12^th and 20^th, Inverie 21^st and 29^th, Muck 22^nd and 29^th, Coll 24^th, Barra 25^th, Eriskay 26^th, Harris 27^th, Portree 28^th.

CLANSMAN carried out sea trials early yesterday having completed her overhaul at the Garvel. She sailed down river as far as Cumbrae then headed back north.

CLANSMAN berthed at Gourock where she disembarked the Garvel staff and loaded on the crew’s cars.

Pointing her bow in a northerly direction CLANSMAN arrived at Uig in time to resume passenger service with the 09.40 sailing to Lochmaddy.

HEBRIDES sailed in the opposite direction and is expected to arrive on the Clyde, where she has an urgent appointment at the Garvel Dry-dock, at 06.20 tomorrow morning.

The weather has taken its toll on various services among the Western Isles today.

This morning’s sailing from Oban to Coll and Tiree, due to depart at 06.45 was cancelled.

The 07.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen was diverted to Port Askaig.

Sailings on the Fionnphort-Iona route were suspended this morning. The situation was reviewed at 12.15. Morning sailings across the Sound of Barra were also cancelled. A review was carried out at 12.00.

On the Sound of Harris the 09.45 ex Berneray and the 11.00 return from Leverburgh were cancelled. The situation was reviewed at 15.30.

Sailings between Oban and Craignure faced various delays and disruptions.

Caledonian MacBrayne are warning their customers that sailings from Oban to Coll and Tiree may be disrupted over the weekend for weather related reasons.

Sailings between Oban and Craignure are subject to delays as the Craignure gangway is out of order just now.

Lismore’s car ferry service between Oban and Achnacroish was due to resume on Wednesday 11^th after an absence of three days.

As the route’s regular ferry MV Isle of Eigg is away for its annual refit the replacement vessel MV Raasay had come in as a relief vessel.

However on Sunday the MV Raasay’s gearbox seized, leaving the island without a vehicular service. A spokesman for CalMac Ferries Ltd said that the MV Raasay was repaired on Tuesday.

Lismore also has a passenger ferry service at the north end of the island.

The freight service between Ullapool and Stornoway (MUIRNEAG) is cancelled tonight for weather related reasons.

LOCH BHRUSDA departed from Rothesay on Wednesday 25^th February en route for her summer employment on the Sound of Harris run between Berneray and Leverburgh.

After an overnight stop at Campbeltown she made her way to Port Askaig where she arrived at 16.10 on Thursday. She continued on her merry way at 06.15 on Friday morning. After a brief call at Oban she arrived at Craignure at 14.30.

LOCH BHRUSDA arrived at Leverburgh via Lochmaddy on Tuesday 3^rd March whereupon LOCH PORTAIN, the rostered vessel, departed for Oban and the Clyde for her annual overhaul.

After a brief stop at Largs, LOCH PORTAIN arrived at the James Watt Dock on Friday 6^th.

She carried out sea trials on Tuesday 26^th February before returning to the James Watt Dock. On Tuesday 3^rd she made her way to Gourock from where she departed at 08.30 having loaded up crew’s cars.

ISLE OF ARRAN sailed for Port Ellen and carried out the 17.00 sailing to Kennacraig.

LOCH FYNE has also returned to service on her rostered route between Fishnish and Lochaline. She performed sea trials on Friday 27^th February. Having successfully completed the trials she berthed at Gourock at 11.30. The following day she left the Clyde bound for the Sound of Mull with an overnight stop at Campbeltown.

LOCH ALAINN is now on the Sound of Barra route having relieved LOCH LINNHE at 14.20 on Tuesday 3^rd. The latter vessel sailed for Tobermory.

EIGG was relieved on the Lismore route by RAASAY at 11.50 on Wednesday allowing her to go to Corpach for her overhaul. She left Oban at 12.40 bound for Corpach where she arrived at 16.15.

RAASAY unfortunately suffered from technical problems on Sunday 8^th.The service was therefore cancelled. She was still not back in service on Monday.

In between times there has been various disruptions due to weather and engine related problems.

On Wednesday 25^th February the 07.15 departure from Stornoway did not leave until 08.00.

On the following Friday the 18.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Askaig was diverted to Port Ellen. The first sailing the next day departed from Port Ellen at 04.15.

Sailings on the Lochaline-Fishnish route did not start until 13.45 on Tuesday 3^rd due to technical problems.

The 18.15 sailing from Eriskay to Ardmhor on Thursday 5^th March was delayed to accommodate school pupils returning from Stornoway.

ISLE OF LEWIS suffered from engine problems the following day at Ullapool.

As a result the 17.35 ex Ullapool and the 07.00 ex Stornoway on Saturday were cancelled. The 14.30 sailing on Saturday was delayed indefinitely.

ISLE OF LEWIS eventually sailed from Stornoway at 18.20 with the 18.15 return being cancelled. She carried out an extra sailing on Sunday 8^th from Ullapool at 11.00.

Some sailings were disrupted or cancelled due to the weather on Sunday and Monday 8^th and 9^th.

On Sunday the Oban-Coll-Tiree service was cancelled as was the 15.00 sailing from Oban to the Outer Isles. The Berneray-Leverburgh service was disrupted. The 18.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen was diverted to Port Askaig.

Islay’s new ferry, which is due to enter service in March 2011, will not be able to berth at Port Ellen based on its current design.

Two ports, Port Ellen and Port Askaig, serve Islay. Sailings are sometimes diverted to either port. However present infrastructure would indicate that the new ferry could only use the recently redeveloped Port Askaig.

The terminals at Port Ellen and Kennacraig are due to be redeveloped but not until the new ferry is ready, as Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) are waiting for funding and a Harbour Revision Order.

CMAL has published business cases for Port Ellen and Kennacraig harbours and will present these at public meetings in the Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen on Tuesday March 10^th and at the Templar Hall, Tarbert on Wednesday 11^th. Both meetings start at 18.30.

A new online payment system has been launched for harbour dues at Caledonian MacBrayne ports throughout the West Highlands.

The nee system is to help facilitate a new pricing structure for pier and berthing dues, which will apply to all ports from April 2009.

A credit card sized ticket will be issued by post, with vessel name and details, ticket type and validity periods, which will then be displayed on arrival at the port or pier.

The Scottish Government, which is undertaking a comprehensive review of ferry services, will be holding a series of public “drop in” meetings at the following times and places:

Members of the ferry review team will be available to answer questions from the public.

The Berneray - Leverburgh (Sound of Harris) service is facing disruptions and delays due to tidal conditions from Monday 9^th until Saturday14th.

Monday 9^th and Tuesday 10^th – 11.10 sailing from Berneray and 12.20 sailing from Leverburgh . There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 0945 and from Leverburgh at 1400. Wednesday 11^th – 11.10 sailing from Berneray and 12.20 sailing from Leverburgh .

There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.45 and from Leverburgh at 14.15. Thursday 12^th, Friday 13^th and Saturday 14^th – 11.10 from Berneray and 12.20 from Leverburgh . There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.45 and from Leverburgh at 11.00.

LOCH PORTAIN is on her way to the Clyde for overhaul. She is due to dry-dock next week with HEBRIDES.

LOCH PORTAIN left Oban this morning. She is staying overnight at Campbeltown.

ISLE OF ARRAN left the James Watt Dock today having completed her overhaul. She should have been out a few days ago. Apparently there were a few snags encountered during the course of the overhaul.