Safety evacuation system upgrade for MV Coruisk

A new-state-of-the-art lifesaving system is being fitted to the MV Coruisk before it takes on its new summer sailing schedule between Oban and Mull. 

The new Maritime Evacuation System (MES) will significantly speed up the vessel's evacuation in the event of an emergency. 

CalMac's director of operations, Drew Collier said: "Safety is our number one priority and we are anxious to fit the most up to date safety equipment on the market within our vessels. This new MES system can give passengers and crew the reassurances that they can rely on the most technically advanced system available in the unlikely event of an emergency." 

The Coruisk will leave for dry dock on March 7 and will pick up its new route from March 25.

"Given other operational pressures it was not possible to get this new system fitted when the vessel was in it annual dry dock, but it is important that this work is carried out before it takes on a full time sailing schedule again." 

The safety upgrade requires the vessel to leave its part time winter cover on the Dunoon Gourock route two weeks early.

The system is similar to that recently fitted to the MV Bute and MV Argyle and is a requirement of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).