CalMac runs 75% of services in face of Storm Frank

Through flexible timetabling and responsive crewing, ferry operator CalMac managed to run around 75% of services to keep islands and isolated communities connected during Storm Frank.

A total of 296 sailings took place on December 30, out of a timetabled 374. Routes affected by the weather included Coll, Tiree and Colonsay which all had sailings moved back to Hogmanay along with Mallaig Armadale which ran 50% of scheduled sailings and the Gigha service which experienced 33% cancelations. In total the CalMac customer care team managed more than 1000 calls over the course of the day.

The company runs lifeline services to 24 islands and remote mainland destinations up and down the Scotland's west coast.

"As always safety has to be our number one priority, but we have a flexible approach to getting people to where they need to be and took advantage of out of timetable weather windows where possible to keep people and vital goods moving. Our capacity to communicate effectively with our customers gives us the scope to continue to run a service even when the normal timetable cannot be delivered due to the weather," said CalMac's director off operations, Drew Collier.

The vast majority of services are running to a normal timetable today (December 31) but the company are urging passenger travelling to arrive early for their sailing and to check the website before setting off.

"As part of community we serve know how important it is to get home to family and friends at this time of year and we do all we can to keep our communities connected within the constraints the weather brings. I'd like to thank all our staff for their efforts in providing as full a service as possible over the last couple of very challenging days," added Drew.