Customer Update: MV Alfred Customer Update
MV Alfred Customer Update
Update 9 July 2024
We are pleased to update our customers with news that Transport Scotland has agreed to a further six-month extension of our current charter of MV Alfred. This means the charter scheduled to end on 4 September will remain until March 2025.
MV Alfred will provide additional resilience to the network during the remainder of a busy summer period, and the next winter timetable, which includes an annual overhaul schedule.
The vessel has primarily operated to and from Arran, sailing the Ardrossan/Troon - Brodick route. Plans beyond then will be agreed in consultation with stakeholders in the next few weeks.
During her time with us, she has undergone ramp modifications, which allows her to accommodate all types of vehicles, except for motorhomes over 6 metres or any vehicle towing a caravan.
As the vessel has no retail offering on board, we are currently exploring options to improve this should MV Alfred be deployed to a service with an extended passage time. We will keep customers updated should this be the case.
We are also pleased to confirm that MV Caledonian Isles, which has ordinarily served the route between Ardrossan - Brodick is still on schedule to return to service by the end of August. The vessel has been in drydock for extensive repairs since January. In addition, during MV Alfred's six-month extension period, we expect two new major vessels in MV Glen Sannox and MV Isle of Islay to enter service, further strengthening our position to improve the lifeline services we provide to islands across our network.
Update 12 February 2024
MV Alfred, which has been delivering a freight service from Troon-Brodick, will be deployed on our Uig-Tarbert and Uig-Lochmaddy route from Monday 12 February, when MV Hebrides departs for annual scheduled overhaul. She will be in operation on this route until 16 February inclusive, delivering an amended timetable, published on our service status and information page, primarily due to tidal restrictions at both Uig and Lochmaddy because of recent infrastructure works at ports by the relevant harbour owners.
Update 6 November 2023
We are pleased to update our customers that Transport Scotland has agreed to a six-month extension of our current charter of MV Alfred, providing additional resource through the winter and annual overhaul period, and as we start planning for the summer timetable.
The charter will be in place until 21 August 2024 providing additional resilience across the network as required.
To allow us the option for MV Alfred to berth at Campbeltown or Troon while operating on the Islay route, ramp modifications are required. Islay deployment will be restricted to operating to and from Ardrossan until these modifications are complete. We are working closely with owners Pentland Ferries to ensure this is carried out as quickly as possible. This should have no impact on the immediate service of the vessel.
We are also looking into retail and dining options to improve the customer experience when travelling on MV Alfred on the Islay route and will keep customers informed.
Her deployment plans for the coming months will be confirmed shortly and customers will be notified as soon as plans have been finalised.
Update Friday 27 October 2023
As a result of MV Alfred trials at Stornoway being unsuccessful for scheduled service due to fit on the linkspan, the vessel is unavailable for timetabled freight service on the Stornoway-Ullapool route.
In addition, MV Alfred has reported an issue with her thruster which requires a repair to be carried out.
MV Alfred will therefore depart Stornoway on the afternoon of Friday 27 October and travel to Tarbert Harris. On Saturday 28 October the vessel will depart Tarbert Harris and travel to Troon to allow contractor attendance for repairs to her thruster. MV Alfred will take over service from MV Caledonian Isles on Saturday 4 November, which will allow MV Caledonian Isles to carry out network berthing trials.
MV Hebridean Isles will undertake the Stornoway-Ullapool freight service until 2 November when MV Arrow will take over. MV Hebridean Isles deployment after 2 November has yet to be confirmed and will be announced as soon as possible.
We will keep our customers updated on any changes to services through our service status and information pages.
Friday 29 September 2023
Due to a technical issue with MV Alfred's gearbox the vessel is currently out of service. As a result, the berthing trials scheduled for Stornoway-Ullapool which were to take place this week, have been delayed. However, it is the intention to undertake these as soon as the vessel is available for service again.
Pentland Ferries, the vessel owners, have advised on a timeline for parts, repairs and trials of 9 days. This would see the vessel be available for return to service from Tuesday 10 October. Concurrent repairs will also be undertaken on MV Alfred's bow thruster, essential for Port Askaig operations, with both issues targeted for resolution prior to the vessel's return to service.
We are currently reviewing future deployment plans after this period, including the revised Stornoway berthing trials. We will continue to engage with the vessel's owners and keep customers informed.