The Ali Cat is now unlikely to act as the scheduled relief vessel for the Kilcreggan ferry, it was revealed this week.
New operators CalMac announced their dry dock maintenance programme on Monday, showing maintenance for the MV Chieftain on the Kilcreggan route as scheduled for May 11-25 next year.
The relief vessel was shown as ‘TBC (likely to be Ali Cat)’ – the catamaran has operated on the Dunoon route for many years and underwent berthing trials at Kilcreggan several months ago.
By yesterday though company’s website had changed, just showing ‘TBC’.
A CalMac spokesperson said: “The arrangements have changed slightly… it is still a tbc but likely to be a charter rather the Ali Cat.”
The MV Chieftain is leased from Clyde Marine, which operated the route before CalMac took it over.
CalMac has 34 vessels, which all have to have a period of maintenance to ensure continuing seaworthiness.
Director of operations Robert Morrison said: “Organising time for each vessel to enter dry dock while keeping services running is a real challenge for us that requires detailed planning.
“When the weather is taken into account this can be real test keeping communities connected.
“Above and beyond the normal bow to stern servicing to ensure they are fit for another year’s service, there are some major projects planned this year to improve comfort and resilience on a range of vessels.”
CalMac says its dry dock schedule was planned with public consultation to minimise disruption to communities where possible, adding: “The schedule may change depending on operational priorities.”
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