Customer Update - Update on Services to and from Islay

Our services are affected by a series of delays to our annual overhaul schedule and its subsequent impact on vessel deployment. As we move through this period, we will continue to share the latest information with our customers and communities on our website and social media channels. Given the nature of our plans, this will often be on a route-by-route basis.

(Update - 23/03/2023) MV Hebridean Isles is currently in Birkenhead and has undergone repairs. Assessment of the results of those activities is now underway. Sea trials were conducted today (23/03/23), however during trials a further fault was identified and the vessel requires to re-enter dry dock. Arrangements for this are in progress. Further information will be provided on repairs in due course.
MV Finlaggan, which operates the routes between Islay and Kennacraig will continue to operate a single vessel timetable up to and including 7 April until she undertakes her annual overhaul.    
MV Finlaggan is currently scheduled to return to service from her own overhaul period, on 4 May to operate the scheduled summer timetable with MV Hebridean Isles.  
Colonsay will be serviced from Oban up to 7 April with exception of Saturdays which will be operated by MV Finlaggan
MV Caledonian Isles is due to return to the Arran service on 13 April. We are currently reviewing plans for both Arran and Islay routes during the period of 8-13 April and will provide further update once we have assurance of MV Hebridean Isles returning to service. Given the degree of current disruption, deployments are being continually reviewed.

We are in the process of contacting any customers with a booking which is affected.

Our team is working closely with communities and customers to ensure priorities continue to be understood and to support the movement of essential services and goods on and off the island. We are actively assessing a range of vessel deployment options that will support service to Islay.

We know that with no spare vessels and limited deployment options, this is a challenging period for our customers and the communities we serve. We have said this in the preceding weeks, and the sentiment remains as strong - we are sorry for the effect this is having on you. Our team's focus continues to be on resuming a normal service as quickly as possible. We will continue to share the latest information we have with you.

Stay connected

Please continue to check our services status pages, our customer updates and our @CalMac_Updates Twitter page which carry the latest information we have on each service.

Date: 23 March 2023