Disappointment has been expressed after CalMac revealed the vessel purpose-built for the Mallaig to Skye ferry crossing will not be returning to the route for summer 2017.
Last summer, following the MV Coruisk’s removal, one in 10 crossings were cancelled, with only 85 per cent of scheduled sailings arriving on time because the replacements could not operate in low tides.
Some tourist attractions on Skye reported that their takings were down by tens of thousands of pounds compared to the previous year as a result.
The news about the controversial Coruisk came yesterday as CalMac announced its summer timetable will be online from noon today.
The ferry operator said the main change of note is its intention to deploy two vessels on the Mallaig-Armadale service. This will allow the Coruisk to provide much needed additional capacity on the very busy Oban-Craignure route.
Operations director Drew Collier said: “The MV Lord of the Isles and MV Loch Fyne will serve the Mallaig-Armadale route providing the additional capacity, frequency and improved reliability requested by the Sleat community.
“We have specifically planned the timetable to benefit coach traffic which was affected by disruptions due to tidal issues last summer.
“The MV Loch Fyne, which traditionally operates between Lochaline and Fishnish on Mull, will require some modifications to her ramps to operate on the Sound of Sleat, but, once completed, will allow us to provide more capacity and more sailings on the route than in summer 2015 when the MV Coruisk operated alone.”
Kate Forbes MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “Having made clear that I think disruption on the Mallaig-Armadale ferry route is disastrous for local businesses and residents, I am, of course, disappointed that a new vessel has not been sourced for the Mallaig-Armadale route and the MV Coruisk hasn’t been returned.
“However, I do welcome the proposed alterations to the MV Loch Fyne to adapt it to the route and the promises of a more reliable timetable and more sailings.”
Ms Forbes added: “Now that the decision has been made, I will be watching the first few weeks of the summer timetable closely.
“At the slightest hint of the disruption experienced last summer, I will be in touch with the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, who has also promised to keep a close eye on the service.
“Ultimately what we need are new vessels for the CalMac fleet.”