CalMac admit current ferry situation "the most pressing we’ve faced"

On the morning of March 26, further breakdowns occurred on the Arran route, leaving it without a major vessel. 

This left CalMac short of seven vessels, with four in refit and three breakdowns to the MV Glen Sannox, MV Isle of Arran and MV Caledonian Isles.

The situation is so dire that CalMac admitted in an email to island communities: "The scenario we are in right now may be the most pressing we’ve faced."

As well as Arran having no major vessel, Mull is down to a single vessel service from MV Coruisk, Islay also has one vessel, MV Finlaggan, Barra and South Uist have a reduced service as they are sharing the MV Isle of Mull and Coll, Tiree & Colonsay have a reduced service due to a smaller vessel than normal providing their service, the MV Lord of the Isles instead of MV Clansman.

The newly arrived MV Isle of Islay is hoped to be drafted into the fleet soon to help alleviate some of the pressure on the ferry provider, but CalMac also admitted in its email that issues have been identified in its sea trials, and will more than likely not make it into service for the start of the Summer Timetable tomorrow. 

An update on the trials is expected later today.

A review is taking place at 1pm to determine if MV Glen Sannox can operate, after the vessel broke down again this morning, compounding a frustrating period for Arran. 

A review was held for the MV Isle of Arran at 12.15 to determine if it could sale, which at the time of writing was still underway. 

And finally, engineers are working on MV Caledonian Isles to try bring her back into the fold after four days out.