Scotland’s newest CalMac ferry, MV Isle of Islay, has been forced to pause its delivery voyage to Scotland after encountering severe weather conditions, days after being handed over from the Turkish shipyard where it was built.
The vessel, the first of four new ferries under construction in Turkey, has already been involved in an unexpected rescue operation during its maiden passage north.
CalMac’s fleet management director Louis de Wolff said the incident highlighted the readiness of ferry crews to respond to emergencies at sea. “CalMac crews are well-trained in acting fast to take part in rescues at sea, often supporting the coastguard in Scottish waters,” he said.
“None of us expected MV Isle of Islay to be involved in a rescue so soon after being delivered, but it is testament to the professionalism of our crew that the individual was saved from dangerous sea and weather conditions in just a few minutes.”
The ferry has faced difficult conditions throughout its transit from the Cemre shipyard in Turkey, where it was officially handed over to owners Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) last week. A CalMac crew is currently onboard for the repositioning journey, which is expected to take around two weeks depending on weather.
However, the ship has already been forced to alter its plans due to high winds and heavy seas. Across several days last week, winds in the area were consistently above 30 knots, with gusts exceeding 50 knots, forcing the ferry to seek shelter off the east coast of Morocco. Once conditions improve, the ship is expected to sail north before attempting the Bay of Biscay crossing.
The Isle of Islay is expected to undergo a programme of local trials once it reaches Scotland, including visits to multiple ports and harbours, before entering passenger service on the Clyde and Hebrides network.
The ferry is designed to carry up to 450 passengers and either 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles, representing a significant increase in capacity for the Islay and Jura routes. It is also expected to strengthen fleet resilience through the cascade of other vessels across the wider CalMac network. A community event is planned on Islay to mark the ship’s arrival, with the vessel to be formally named using a special edition bottle of Ardnahoe whisky.
Should be able to pick up a few more passengers in the channel.