MORE than half of Scotland s lifeline ferry network is operating outwith its working life expectancy leading to new calls for a shake-up of the crisis-hit services. The Herald can reveal that a new analysis shows 16 of the state-owned ferry operator s 31 working ferries deployed across Scotland is now over 25 years old. It comes as the network was hit with further disruption through new ferry breakdowns over the last month - and a fifth delay to the completion of repairs to CalMac s biggest ferry MV Loch Seaforth. It now not expected back in service till this May 28 at the earliest, having been pulled in for engine work a month ago.
WELL done the residents of Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, for coming out in numbers to resist the UK Border Force raid on two asylum seekers on, of all days, Eid al-Fitr, the day of celebration to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan ( Police release detained men after hundreds block immigration van , The Herald, May 14). Well done, too, to Police Scotland for having the decency and common sense to defuse the situation by releasing the men. The raid, and in particular its timing, shows that this Tory UK Government is as intent as ever on playing the tough guy against those who have fled intolerable situations in their home countries and asked for our compassion. Boris Johnson and Priti Patel act not in my name; obviously not in the names of the residents of Kenmure Street; and, I hope, not in Scotland’s name.
Scotland s lifeline ferry network faces disruption after FOURTH delay in repair to under-repair vessel SCOTLAND S lifeline ferry network faces even more disruption after plans to have its largest vessel back in service after repairs were put off for a fourth time. MV Loch Seaforth was taken off the Ullapool-Stornoway route by CalMac, the publicly funded ferry operator, to be taken into dry dock for major engine repairs nearly a month ago. State-owned CalMac had initially said the eight-year-old vessel would out of actioin until at least the end of April at the end of April at the earliest, then later said that it would be back by May 4 after repairs took longer than expected.
Customers were advised to go to their website for bookings, service and timetable information. A CalMac spokesman said yesterday morning: There s a technical issue with the phone lines, it’s being worked on at the moment. The contact centre issues arose a day after sailings were cancelled on the Wemyss Bay to Isle of Bute crossing because of a technical issue discover at around 5.50pm with the 16-year-old ferry MV Bute which can take up to 450 passengers and 60 cars. Normal service resumed yesterday. The issues have come as the islands open up as Covid restrictions ease. And it comes a matter of days after Scotland s crisis hit lifeline ferry network came under fresh fire after a new series of breakdowns and setbacks with five of its fleet leading to service cancellations and restrictions as new pressure is put on ministers to take urgent action.