CalMac finalises dry dock refit programme

Ferry operator CalMac has finalised dry dock arrangements for its fleet this year.

Each of the fleet's 31 vessels is required under Maritime and Coastguard Agency regulations to undertake a period of maintenance every 12 months.

"Arranging dry dock for our fleet is a complex logistical exercise that we try and undertake with minimal potential disruption to our normal services. We appreciate our passengers patience and understanding for the short period of time that they are not served by their normal vessel," said CalMac's operations director, Drew Collier.

"We have many competing demands from the communities we serve during this period and try hard to meet theses where we possibly can."

CalMac is the operator of the UK's largest ferry network. Last year it carried 4.65 million passengers, 1.1 million cars, 92,000 commercial vehicles and 11,000 coaches. It has been serving 49 routes across Scotland's west coast for the past .

Routes on the Clyde that are still to have a vessel dry docked are:

Tarbert Portavadie - MV Lochinvar replaced by MV Loch Tarbert from March 7 to March 21

Colintraive Rhubodach - MV Loch Dunvegan replaced by MV Loch Fyne October 19 to November 2

Tarbert Lochranza - MV Lochinvar replaced by MV Loch Tarbert March 7 to March 21

Largs Cumbrae - MV Loch Shira replaced by MV Lochinvar January 18 to February 1

Gourock Rothesay - MV Bute replaced by MV Coruisk October 27 to November 13 and the MV Argyle by MV Coruisk November 14 to December 1.

Ardrossan Brodick - MV Caledonian Isles replaced by MV Clansman January 5 to January 20

Routes in the Argyll area that are still to have a vessel dry docked are:

Oban Craignure - Isle of Mull replaced by the Isle of Arran from December 2 to December 17

Lochaline to Fishnish - MV Loch Fyne replaced by MV Loch Alainn November 18 to November 30

Oban Lismore - MV Loch Striven replaced by MV Loch Linnhe December 7 to December 21

Fionnphort Iona - MV Loch Buie replaced by MV Loch Riddon November 9 to November 23

Oban Coll Tiree - MV Lord of the Isles replaced by Isle of Arran October 26 November 11 and MV Clansman replaced by MV Hebrides January 3 to February 7.

Tayinloan Gigha - MV Loch Ranza replaced by MV Loch Linnhe from January 4 to January 18.

Kennacraig Port Askaig Port Ellen - MV Finlaggan replaced by MV Hebridean Isles and Isle of Arran from February 27 to March 19.

Oban Colonsay Port Askaig Kennacraig - MV Hebridean Isles replaced by the MV Isle of Arran, November 14 to November 30

Oban Colonsay - MV Lord of the Isles replaced by MV Isle of Arran October 26 to November 11.

Tarbert Portavadie - MV Lochinvar replaced by MV Loch Tarbert from March 7 to March 21

Colintraive Rhubodach - MV Loch Dunvegan replaced by MV Loch Fyne October 19 to November 2

Tarbert Lochranza - MV Lochinvar replaced by MV Loch Tarbert March 7 to March 21

Routes in the Western Isles and Skye that are still to have a vessel dry docked are:

Sconser Raasay - MV Hallaig will be replaced by the MV Linnhe from October 26 to November 9.

Oban Castlebay Lochboisdale - The MV Clansman will be replaced by the MV Hebrides from January 05 to February 07 and the MV Lord of the Isles by the MV Isle of Arran from October 26 to November 11

Barra Eriskay - Loch Allain will be replaced by the Loch Bhrusda from December 7 to December 21.

Uig Lochmaddy Tarbert - Will be covered by the Hebridean Isles and Isle of Arran 05 January to 27 February.

Berneray Leverburgh - Loch Portain will be replaced by the Loch Bhrusda from January 11 to February 22.