CalMac cuts passenger numbers over ferry’s safety check failure

CalMac says passenger bookings on the Lochboisdale route very rarely exceed 45 passengers per sailing at this time of year.

At the time the restrictions were brought in, there were no bookings exceeding the 45 passengers per sailing limit.

The issues are the latest in a series of technical problems to hit CalMac’s ageing ferry fleet.

In October, the operator was forced into making temporary changes to some of its services due to ongoing disruption caused by repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles.

It had been due to return to its Arran route on 23 September after eight months of maintenance work, but that had to be pushed back by two weeks.

Projects to build new ferries have also been hit by delays.

They include Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa which were originally due for delivery in 2018 but have faced repeated design and construction challenges.

It was announced earlier this month that the Glen Sannox will begin timetabled sailings on 13 January.

CalMac confirmed the vessel will enter official passenger service on the Arran route after successful tests and crew familiarisation over the past month.

Glen Sannox will run on the busiest route on the CalMac network, operating between Troon to Brodick.