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Home , Feolin, Rothesay, Wemyss Bay

CALMAC SHIP MOVEMENTS 07.03.06 – 10.04.06

Ali Cat Charter from Solent & Wightline Cruises Ltd for - (No 1A Roster) pax only, berthing James Watt Dock [announcement of renewal of contract from M 3 Apr was made on S 4 Mar]. T 28 Mar off service ( & Bute Council pier staff on strike at Dunoon).

Argyle Yard No 1625 under construction at Remontowa Shipyard, Gdansk, Poland.

Bruernish Oban-Lismore roster. Th 9 Mar off service (Isle of Cumbrae on roster with high loads); Su 12 resumed standby duties at Oban ( on roster).

Bute - rosters. F10 Mar roster till 1135 then to James Watt Dock for annual survey; T 14 – W 22 drydocked with Sound of Sanda; F 24 trials then to Gourock and Wemyss Bay for roster from 1300; T 28 off service (Argyll & Bute Council pier staff on strike at Rothesay).

Caledonian Isles Brodick-Ardrossan winter roster. Th 30 Mar after roster sailed light to Ardrossan; F 31 summer roster commenced. Th 6 Apr off service for decontamination after crew suffered outbreak of ‘winter vomiting virus’; FRC transferred to ; F 7 decontamination completed p.m.; FRC returned; resumed own roster from 1515 (at 1555).

Canna Rathlin-Ballycastle roster. F 31 Mar summer roster commenced (one month earlier than previous years) – now 4 sailings daily.

Clansman Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy roster. Su 12 & M 13 Mar weather disruptions; F 24 to Oban for -/-Lochboisdale roster from S 25; F 31 summer roster commenced (Th + Coll). F 7 Apr roster till 1315 (technical problems); moved to Oban Lighthouse Pier for repairs; 2230 Oban-Craignure (o/n) then light to Oban for roster from 0700.

Coruisk Rothesay-Wemyss Bay rosters. F 24 Mar roster till 1220 then to James Watt Dock; M 27 to Gourock and (overnight); T 28 to Mallaig; F 31 Mallaig-Armadale summer roster commenced (major retimings).

Eigg Charter to ASP Seascot/Argyll & Bute Council Port Askaig-Feolin service till S 11 Mar, then to Oban; M 13 took over Lismore roster; F 31 Mar summer roster commenced.

Hebridean Isles Kennacraig-Port Ellen/Port Askaig roster. Su 12 & M 13 Mar roster disrupted (weather); W 15 – W 22 evening Port Ellen sailings diverted to Port Askaig (maintenance work at PE) with corresponding following morning return at 0415 ex-PA; F 31 summer roster commenced – Sunday service altered (1300/1530 now to PA).

Hebrides At Birkenhead for annual survey. W 22 Mar to Lochmaddy (arr 1500 Th 23); Tarbert/Lochmaddy-Uig roster from 1245; F 31 summer roster commenced.

Isle of Arran At Tobermory (laid up). Th 9 Mar to Aberdeen (arr F 10) for annual survey; Th 23 to Stornoway; F 24 laid up – awaiting Muirneag overhaul relief. W 5 Apr ex-Stornwoay 1150 for Ardrossan (arr 0600 Th 6); FRC transferred from Caledonian Isles (crew sick); Ardrossan-Brodick roster till 1445 F 7; FRC returned to Caledonian Isles; moved to Ardrossan (Irish Berth).

Isle of Cumbrae At Craignure on standby. T 9 Mar to Oban for Lismore roster (high loads); F 10 to Lochaline for Fishnish roster; broke down during day then to Tobermory; T 14 to Oban (o/n), Campbeltown (o/n), Largs and Gourock ( arr p.m. Th 16) for maintenance and repairs; Th 30 to Tarbert for Portavadie roster from 1515; F 31 summer roster commenced.

Isle of Lewis Stornoway-Ullapool roster. F 31 Mar summer roster commenced. Oban-Craignure/ roster. F 31 Mar summer Oban-Craignure roster commenced (passage times + 1 min; minor alterations to Saturday sailings). F 7 Apr roster till 1546, then took 1700/1935 rostered Oban-Colonsay sailing (Clansman u/s); S 8 resumed own roster.

Juno Gourock-Dunoon roster. F 10 Mar No 1 roster till 0913 then to Rothesay for installation of gangway platform; Wemyss Bay-Rothesay roster from 1215; T 28 off service at Rothesay (Argyll & Bute pier staff on strike).

Jupiter Laid up at Rosneath.

Loch Alainn Largs-Cumbrae Slip roster.

Loch Bhrusda -Leverburgh roster. M 13 Mar stormbound Otternish; Th 16 roster till 1320; changed over with Loch Portain; to Lochmaddy (o/n); Oban (o/n); Campbeltown (o/n); Largs and JWD (arr Su 19) for gearbox repairs. S 8 Apr trials then to Gourock and Largs – set off for Campbeltown but had to return (hydraulic problems) – left again at 1730 and sailed direct to (arr a.m. Su 9); Ardmhor-Eriskay roster from 1300.

Loch Buie Fionnphort- roster.

Loch Dunvegan -Rhubodach roster.

Loch Fyne Lochaline-Fishnish roster. F 10 Mar roster till 0825; changed over with Isle of Cumbrae; to Tobermory for maintenance; S 11 resumed roster; F 31 summer roster commenced – almost completely retimed.

Loch Linnhe Ardmhor-Eriskay roster. S 11 Mar roster till 1450 then stormbound Ardmhor until T 14; F 31 summer roster commenced – almost completely retimed. Su 9 Apr roster till 1150; changed over with Loch Bhrusda; to Tobermory.

Loch Portain In Garvel Drydock for annual survey. S 11 Mar undocked; M 13 trials, then to Gourock; T 14 to Largs (o/n); Tobermory (o/n); and Berneray (arr Th 16); changed over with Loch Bhrusda; Leverburgh-Berneray roster from 1530; M 27 to S 1 Apr service disrupted (low tides); W 29 Mar announcement of imminent Sunday service following CalMac board meeting in Stornoway; F 31 summer roster. Su 9 Apr first day of Sunday service – first ever Sunday ferry to Harris – 3 sailings rostered; extensive coverage in national press highlighting local opposition from Sabbatarians.

Loch Ranza At Rosneath (laid up awaiting repairs to prop unit). F 10 Mar to Ardmaleish; Th 16 to Rothesay, Largs and Fairlie; M 20 to Largs and Campbeltown (o/n); T 21 to for Tayinloan roster from 1030.

Loch Riddon Gigha-Tayinloan roster. Su 12 Mar stormbound at South Pier, Gigha; M 13 roster from 0830 till 0950 then stormbound; T 21 roster till 1020; changed over with Loch Ranza; to Campbeltown (o/n) and Lochranza; changed over with Loch Tarbert; Tarbert- Portavadie/Lochranza roster from 1345; Th 30 roster till 1510 then to Largs; F 31 on standby for Largs-Cumbrae Slip (No 4A) roster as required.

Loch Striven -Sconser roster.

Loch Tarbert Tarbert-Portavadie/Lochranza roster. W 22 Mar roster till 1340 then changed with Loch Riddon; remained at Lochranza for slipway maintenance; Su 26 & M 27 to Claonaig for slipway maintenance; F 31 Lochranza-Claonaig summer roster.

Lochan Chartered W 5 Apr for Mallaig- roster in lieu Lochnevis (u/s).

Lochnevis Mallaig-Small Isles/Armadale winter roster. F 31 Mar summer roster (some minor alterations). W 5 Apr off service at Mallaig (technical); Th 6 resumed roster.

Lord of the Isles Oban-Barra-Lochboisdale/Coll-Tiree roster. F 24 Mar after roster to Tobermory for lay-up until start of summer timetable; Th 30 to Craignure; F 31 commenced summer roster incl. Wed Colonsay/Port Askaig. F 7 Apr roster till 1420 then Oban-Craignure roster 1600-1946 (Isle of Mull to Colonsay, Clansman u/s); 2000 (for 1340) Oban-Barra (arr 0110); S 8 0140 Barra-Craignure for roster from 0700; called additionally at Craignure inward from Lochboisdale.

Muirneag Stornoway-Ullapool freight roster.

New Cumbrae Ferry Under construction at Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd, Port .

Raasay Tobermory-Kilchoan roster. M 13 Mar stormbound Tobermory; M 31 summer roster commenced.

Saturn In James Watt Dock (repairs). W 8 Mar to Gourock; F 10 No 1 roster from 0920; T 28 off service at Gourock (Dunoon pier staff on strike).

On 30 Mar it was announced that CalMac had been accredited with EMS standard, ISO 16001 for commitment to the environment and good working practices. On 3 April CalMac announced the name of the new Rothesay ferry building in Poland: Argyle – like Bute the seventh of the name. Both Kyles and Argyll were already in use. PS Argyle (1866-90) succeeded PS Bute ex Wemyss Bay, the first of the name dating from 1814. The spelling to ‘Argyll’ changed in mid-nineteenth century. Former vessels: Capri Express ex Maid of Cumbrae (1953) towed from Naples to breaker’s yard at Aliaga (Turkey) on 13 Mar. Brenda Corbett ex Pioneer (1974) reported sold to Gambian interests.

Western Ferries

Sound of Sanda has been surveyed at Garvel.

Clyde Marine Cruiser repainted in light blue/white following drydocking at Garvel.

North Channel P&O Incat Express recommenced 15 Mar for 2nd season on Larne-Troon/Cairnryan following substantial refit and refurbishment. Progress is allegedly continuing on the restoration of the putative Campbeltown-Ballycastle route.

NorthLink On 9 Mar CalMac was declared preferred bidder for the franchise; this announcement met with the approval of the Island Authorities and the unions. On 10 Mar there was a simulated fire on board Hjaltland in Aberdeen Harbour. Dr Alf Baird of Napier University suggested replacing Hjaltland & Hrossey with 2 ro-pax vessels ex Peterhead and Rosyth: his plan did not meet with approval. Ironically, on 25 Mar Hrossey was diverted to Rosyth. All revenue from breakfasts on board NorthLink ferries on 31 Mar (£2300) was donated to Cancer Research UK ().

Miscellaneous The possibility has just been floated of a hovercraft service from Dunoon to , Braehead, etc. Major mechanical problems with Highland Council’s Corran have emerged. Meantime standby Corran ferry Maid of Glencoul replaced Argyll & Bute’s Eilean Dhiura at Ardmaleish/Rothesay. A new attempt it being made by the & Jura Ferry Co to institute an ‘overland route’ from . Locals have to be consulted on the future of the Camusnagaul ferry (replacement £0.225m). The future of the Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry is in doubt - £60, 000 is required and is not yet fothcoming. The islands of suffered massive disruption during the local government strike of 28 March. Previously, on Fri 13, 85 mph gales had caused equally serious problems. Frustration has been expressed at the delay in possible funding of a ferry across the Forth. Miller (Methil) Ltd are considering building a 50 pax high speed craft while Stagecoach have suggested operating a hovercraft for 150. The Forth has a new excursion vessel – Forth Belle ex Poole Belle (1977). SS Sir Walter Scott has had her timetable revamped. An extensive refurbishment of the veteran has also taken place. PS Maid of the Loch is about to be slipped at Balloch for the first time for many years.