Arran breathed a huge sigh of relief this week when the MV Caledonian Isles resumed service on the main Ardrossan to Brodick route.
However, car bookings remain like gold dust despite the boat, affectionately known as the Caley Isles, having double the capacity of the MV Isle of Arran.
She has battled on bravely during the three-and-a-half months the MV Caledonian Isles has been out of action getting more than £2 million worth of repairs.
And while the return of the Caley Isles, with its increased capacity, has been welcomed, the Ardossan to Brodick route continues to be run as a single vessel service which means islanders are still having to compete with visitors to secure travel on a ferry that is fully booked many weeks in advance.
Arran’s regular vessel returned to service on Tuesday after spending the weekend conducting sea trials off Troon and eastern Arran.
The vessel was scheduled to spend the month of January getting her annual overhaul in Greenock, however, additional engine and body work was required and a number of other delays, including the fitting of a faulty part, saw the return date being pushed back further.
The delay could not have happened at a worse time as Arran traffic picked up during the start of spring with school holidays and Easter attracting more passengers.
With passenger and vehicle carrying capacity almost halved, MV Isle of Arran bore the burden of more passengers and coped remarkably well, only faltering once when an exhaust issue took her out of service for an afternoon.
The two vessel summer timetable will not start until Monday May 28, when MV Isle of Arran is scheduled to return from other duties in the network.
"attachment_919474" "" "300"] MV Caledonian Isles makes its way towards the Brodick ferry terminal after an extended break of more than three months.
A welcome sight: MV Caledonian Isles berthed at Brodick ferry terminal on Tuesday morning. 01_B16Caley01_2023_Caley_Isles_return_Brodick
MV Caledonian Isles makes its way towards the Brodick ferry terminal after an extended break of more than three months. 01_B16Caley02_2023_Caley_Isles_Brodick
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