C R S C NEWSLETTER 01.10.08 – 10.11.08 CalMac :

Ali Cat Chartered from Solent & Wightline Cruises Ltd for – (No 1A Roster) pax only, berthing James Watt Dock.

Argyle Rothesay–Wemyss Bay rosters. Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08 except 1145 SuX ex-Rothesay now at 1150); frequent weather disruptions and diversions to Gourock Su 19 to S 25, also Su 9/M 10 Nov.

Bute Rothesay–Wemyss Bay rosters Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08 except 1145 SuX ex-Rothesay now at 1150); frequent weather disruptions and diversions to Gourock Su 19 to S 25, also Su 9/M 10 Nov.

Caledonian Isles – roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08); occasional weather disruptions and diversions to Gourock.

Clansman Oban–Coll–Tiree/Barra–Lochboisdale/(Craignure) roster. T 7 Oct remained at Oban (technical, Lord of the Isles on Inner Isles in lieu); W 8 resumed roster at 1340; T 14 further tech probs → arr Oban approx 2 hrs late, 1500 Inner Isles cancelled; W 15 resumed roster; Su 19 Oct start of winter roster (timings till 09 Jan 2009 reflect Clansman’s higher speed), + rostered special 0700 Barra–Tiree– Oban; Th 23 0645 Inner Isles delayed until 1300 (weather) then sought shelter off Tobermory, after berthing at both islands reached Oban at 2340 (Outer Isles cancelled); S 25 Inner Isles delayed until 1440 (weather). Su 9 Nov Inner Isles service unable to berth Coll or Tiree → returned to Oban, Outer Isles service (+ return M 10) cancelled (weather).

Coruisk Mallaig–Armadale roster. Occasional weather disruptions. M 20 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08); Th 23 stormbound; W 29 at Mallaig (Lochnevis on combined roster); Th 30 to Craignure; Th 31 to Gourock and JWD for annual survey. M 3 Nov to Garvel Drydock (with WF’s Sound of Shuna).

Eigg Oban–Lismore roster, +1045/1155 Mondays only Oban–Craignure (conveying fuel tanker). Su 19 Oct winter roster (completely revamped, with first ever Su service); S 25 & M 10 Nov stormbound.

Hebridean Isles ––Colonsay–Oban roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (two ships except during overhaul periods); occasional weather disruptions/diversions incl. stormbound all day S 25.

Hebrides Uig–Lochmaddy/ Tarbert roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (some retimings); various weather disruptions.

Isle of Arran Kennacraig–Islay secondary roster. S 18 Oct to Oban after roster; Su 19 ex-Oban on rostered 0645 Coll/Tiree sailing but unable to berth → Oban → Kennacraig; M 20 resumed Islay secondary roster; numerous weather diversions.

Isle of Cumbrae Tarbert–Portavadie roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08); S 25 stormbound; Su 26 winter combined Tarbert-Portavadie/Lochranza roster, changed over with Loch Tarbert at 1340; M 27 to Rosneath for lay-up.

Isle of Lewis Stornoway–Ullapool roster. T 2, F 3 & Th 9 Oct roster disrupted (weather); M 20 winter roster (as 2007/08 till 03 Jan 2009); Th 23 & T 28 stormbound; Su 26 + special 0705/1030 (clearing traffic). M 10 Nov start of special passenger-only roster (0715 ex-Stornoway, 1715 ex-Ullapool) while linkspan at Ullapool undergoing repairs.

Isle of Mull Oban–Craignure roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (MWFS as 2007/08, T no 1300/1400, + 1800/1900, Th no 1300/1400, Su + 1800/1900, Colonsay as 2007/08). Only CalMac vessel NOT affected on S 25!

Jupiter Gourock–Dunoon roster (on charter to Cowal Ferries Ltd). Su 19, M 20 & S 25 Oct roster disrupted (weather). M 3 Nov roster till 1013 then to wires for maintenance; Th 6 resumed roster from 1020. M 10 Nov roster disrupted (weather).

Loch Alainn Ardmhor–Eriskay roster. Th 2 Oct + extra run (Lord of the Isles stormbound Oban); F 17 + extra run (Clansman carrying S/Uist traffic returned to Oban previous night); Su 19 winter roster (Su sailings retimed); F 24 & S 25 stormbound; Th 30 to Oban; F 31 to . S 1 Nov to Rhubodach (crew cars) and Ardmaleish; M 3 to Gourock; M 10 to Colintraive for Rhubodach roster.

Loch Bhrusda At Mallaig. W 1 Oct berthing trials at Inverie and Armadale; S 11 ex-Mallaig 1425 to Eigg, Muck, Canna & Rum, ret Mallaig 2305; M 13 to T 28 Small Isles roster (sharing duties with Ullin of Staffa); M 20 winter roster but stormbound Mallaig (also Th 23 & S 25); W 29 to Ardmhor for Eriskay roster from Th 30.

Loch Buie Fionnphort–Iona roster. Various weather disruptions, incl. stormbound all day Th 23 Oct and most of S 25.

Loch Dunvegan Colintraive–Rhubodach roster. Su 19 winter roster (Su service now every 30 mins); S 25 ran single-ended a.m. M 10 Nov handed over to Loch Alainn then to Gourock to await annual survey at Garvel.

Loch Fyne Lochaline–Fishnish roster. Su 19 winter roster (as 2007/08); S 25 sailed only 1245-1425.

Loch Linnhe Tobermory–Kilchoan roster. M 20 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08); S 25 stormbound; T 28 roster till 1120, c/o with Raasay, to Oban; W 29 two special runs to Lismore (large loads); Th 30 to and Campbeltown; F 31 to Ardmaleish for annual survey.

Loch Portain Berneray– Leverburgh roster. Various tidal and weather disruptions, incl. stormbound Su 19, Th 23 & S 25 Oct. Su 19 winter roster (as 2007/08 apart from first run Su retimed).

Loch Ranza Gigha–Tayinloan roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08); numerous weather disruptions incl. Th 23 & S 25 stormbound all day.

Loch Riddon At Largs for additional Cumbrae sailings as required. Su 5 Oct to Lochranza for Claonaig roster from 1315 (Loch Tarbert u/s); Th 9 diverted to Tarbert on 1200 sailing, thereafter stormbound at Lochranza; F 10 only 2 runs to Tarbert; Su 12 to Largs; T 14 & W 15 main roster during day; F 17 to Rothesay; M 20 to Ardmaleish for annual survey; F 31 to Rothesay to complete survey.

Loch Shira Largs–Cumbrae Slip roster, berthing Fairlie overnight. T 14 & W 15 Oct off service during day, berthed Fairlie for electrical repairs; Su 19 winter roster (as 2007/08), trial berthed Gourock overnight at ‘new’ berth; W 22 to S 25 berthed Gourock each night (weather).

Loch Striven Raasay–Sconser roster. Su 19 Oct winter roster (as 2007/08 + extra Su sailing); Th 23 roster till 1335.

Loch Tarbert Lochranza–Claonaig roster. Su 5 Oct roster till 1305 then to Gourock (repairs/maintenance); Su 12 to Lochranza for roster; Su 19 winter roster (as 2007/08); M 20 stormbound from 1150, T 23 & S 25 stormbound all day; Su 26 winter combined Tarbert–Portavadie/Lochranza roster from 1345 (after changeover with Isle of Cumbrae).

Lochnevis Mallaig–Small Isles roster. Occasional weather disruptions. S 11 Oct roster till 1425, then to Craignure; Su 12 to Gourock and JWD for annual survey; drydocked T 14 to F 24; M 27 trials, to Gourock and Mallaig (arr 0615 T 28); W 29 winter combined Mallaig–Armadale/Small Isles roster. M 10 Nov stormbound.

Lord of the Isles Oban–Coll–Tiree/Barra–Lochboisdale/(Craignure) roster. Th 2 Oct no Outer Isles (weather); M 6 only able to berth at Coll outbound, no Tiree (weather); T 7 took Inner Isles sailing (Clansman u/s, Outer Isles cancelled); W 8 Inner Isles sailing in lieu Clansman; Th 9 resumed own roster; Th 16 broke down on passage to Lochboisdale, returned to Oban for repairs (arr 2345); F 17 resumed roster at 1700; S 18 after roster, ex-Oban to Aberdeen (arr 2215 Su 19) for annual survey. F 7 Nov trials, then to Castlebay (arr 0845 S 8); Su 9 ex-Castlebay 1045 to Oban; M 10 changeover with Isle of Mull, on Craignure roster (TBC, Colonsay cancelled).

Muirneag Stornoway–Ullapool freight roster. Stormbound several occasions → special relief sailing Su 26 Oct. S 8 Nov ex-Stornoway 0930 for Tyne for annual survey (arr 0200 M 10).

Pentalina ~B Chartered from for overnight Stornoway–Ullapool freight roster. S 8 Nov arr Ullapool 1100 for berthing trials, to Stornoway.

Raasay At Oban (spare). T 28 Oct to Tobermory for Kilchoan roster from 1545. Saturn At Garvel for annual survey (unable to drydock until new gates fitted). Su 5 Oct to Gourock for special cruises to view Queen Elizabeth 2, ex-Gourock 1000 and 1400, ex-Dunoon 1030 and 1430; returned to JWD; T 14 drydocked (with Lochnevis); F 24 to JWD; W 29 to Gourock. M 3 Nov Dunoon roster from 1020; Th 6 roster till 1013, then to Rosneath for lay-up.

Ullin of Staffa Chartered from Gordon Grant for Mallaig–Small Isles roster M 13 to T 29 Oct (sharing duties with Loch Bhrusda).

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd:

Canna Chartered to Rathlin Island Ferries Ltd for Rathlin–Ballycastle service.

Juno Laid up at Rosneath. Other News

Atrocious weather caused major disruption to many services during late October, with almost all crossings throughout the country affected on S 25. Similar widespread disruption across the western seaboard occurred on M 10 November.

Largs Pier closed on M 28 Oct, the £6 million reconstruction project having been awarded to George Leslie Ltd.

An EU investigation is being carried out into subsidies paid to ferry operators CalMac and NorthLink. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government’s RET pilot scheme took effect on Su 19 Oct, discounted fares being applied to many mainland–Western Isles services for a period of 30 months.

Waverley Excursions Waverley returned to service at the beginning of May with her usual weekend of sailings based at Oban. After returning to the Clyde she was drydocked at Garvel where problems were found with her port paddlewheel. While the shaft and wheel were removed for repair, Waverley lay in the JWD, eventually returning to service at the beginning of July. During the summer, Waverley gave a special charter sailing from Ardrossan and also made possibly the last calls at Tarbert pier. Over the September weekend, Balmoral berthed at Clydebank and Lochranza (at last!). She also operated three highly successful cruises to meet, view, and escort QE2 during the liner’s last visit to the Clyde.

Western Ferries Sound of Scarba operated an evening charter to CRSC on W 11 Jun, cruising to Rothesay Bay, while sister Sound of Shuna conveyed a wedding party from Hunter’s Quay to Kilmun on S 6 Sep. Sound of Scalpay gave a special sailing to meet QE2 on her arrival on Su 5 Oct. Sound of Shuna moved to Garvel for annual survey on M 3 Nov (with Coruisk).

Clyde Marine Kenilworth managed to operate a special cruise to Lochgoilhead, with landing per Fencer, on F 29 Aug, three previous attempts all having been cancelled. Kenilworth, Rover and Cruiser all joined the flotilla of small craft meeting QE2. A new 250-passenger catamaran is currently being built at Bristol, and will be named Clyde Clipper.

Maid of the Loch The Loch Lomond steamer was fitted with two new aluminium masts during July. Discussions with the MCA regarding the steamer’s future operation appear to be positive.

North Channel Stena Caledonia was overhauled at Belfast during April, with Stena Seafarer providing additional crossings during her docking. A new terminal was opened at Belfast in May. Stena Caledonia was again chartered by the Isle of Man Steam Packet during the TT Races in June. Following damage incurred in bad weather, Stena Voyager was withdrawn for repairs for a few days in October – again Stena Seafarer gave relief sailings.

Pentland Ferries The company’s new catamaran ferry Pentalina was launched in the Philippines at the end of April. After running sea trials she left Cebu on 25 July, and called at Singapore and Colombo for bunkers. The next leg of her delivery voyage was diverted to Salalah in Oman, following problems with her generators. Since then, the catamaran has remained there while fuel problems are investigated.

Superfast Ferries The link from Rosyth to Zeebrugge closed in September, following a shock announcement by the Greek company made in the spring. After months of negotiations it was agreed that Norfolk Line will re-open the service in spring 2009 using a new ship, to be named Scottish Viking.