A CATAMARAN owned by Pentland Ferries, which had been undergoing sea trials ahead of the potential deployment on Scotland’s crisis-hit west coast ferry network, has been taken out of commercial service after the Scottish Ferries Union RMT called for a safety re-inspection.

Transport Scotland revealed several weeks ago that the MV Pentalina was taking part in berthing trials at a number of ports in order to potentially be introduced to take the pressure on CalMac’s ageing fleet.

It was expected that the Ardrossan - Arran route - one of CalMac's busiest services - was to be one of the routes to benefit from the craft.

Yesterday, the chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Brian Johnson, confirmed a fault with the vessel and said: “An MCA Surveyor has visited the vessel [MV Pentalina] to undertake an inspection of the area of concern.

"During this visit, discrepancies were uncovered with respect to structural fire protection in way of the passenger accommodation and the corridor providing access to the crew accommodation and Galley Servery. 

“The local Marine Office is working closely with the operator to agree on a solution to the area concerned. The vessel remains out of commercial service at this time.”

The RMT union commented on the results of the safety inspection carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at the union's request, on the catamaran MV Pentalina which Transport Scotland is seeking to charter from operator Pentland Ferries for service on CalMac routes in western Scotland.


RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “We asked surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to re-inspect the Pentalina following a tip-off that the vessel’s owner had personally altered the superstructure, compromising safety provisions at the intersection between the galley kitchen and passenger accommodation on the vessel.

“We have been proved absolutely right to do so. It is a fact that workplaces covered by trade union agreements are safer workplaces. On-board safety committees with crew representatives work well in CalMac Ferries but the buccaneering owner of Pentland Ferries, Andrew Banks clearly regards maritime safety regulations with the same suspicion he regards trade unions.

“This vessel had been declared fit for relief service on four CalMac routes by the MCA before the RMT’s intervention. Rather than working with the vessel’s dodgy owner to gloss over this shocking case, we need an inquiry into how the Scottish Government’s ferry procurement strategy has exposed crew and passengers to this unacceptable level of risk.”

Pentland Ferries said: "The sea trials were complete before the MCA inspection took place. Pentland Ferries is working with the MCA and will have the MV Pentalina ready for commercial service ahead of any potential charter."