MSP calls the Arran ferry crisis 'a national emergency'

West Scotland Labour MSP Katy Clark challenged transport secretary Fiona Hyslop as she answered questions on the latest problems to hit the service.

Conservative MSP Jamie Greene raised the issue after this week's double whammy hit the CalMac service.

The main island vessel MV Caledonian Isles returned to Ardrossan at the weekend after spending nine months out of service for major repairs - only to be taken out of service again before a passenger even set foot on board.

Docking exercises revealed a gearbox issue and the ferry was sent to Greenock for repairs.

Meanwhile, its replacement, the MV Isle of Arran, is also out of service from today for its annual maintenance. 

And the MV Alfred service to the island, operating from Troon, is apparently fully booked.

During the debate, Ms Clark told the transport secretary: “In the past 24 hours, a number of constituents have contacted me concerned they won’t make hospital appointments.

"Or a farmer who won’t be able to get their lambs off the island to market tomorrow and so will have to wait another month.

"And a visitor whose family of six, including a disabled person, and two cars are stranded on the island.

“Does the cabinet secretary agree the ferry crisis is becoming a national emergency?”

MV Isle of Arran (Image: Newsquest) Ms Hyslop did not agree, but said the issues were frustrating for ferry users and for CalMac, adding: "I recognise the issue for anyone with a hospital appointment and urge that they contact CalMac in terms of booking with the MV Alfred from Troon if it is an emergency situation."

Earlier, Mr Greene asked Ms Hyslop for her response to the latest issues hitting the service.

She replied: “My response is deep frustration and concern that the people and communities of Arran are facing a further day and a half with one ferry operating to Brodick rather than two, in addition to the Lochranza service.

“I have spoken to CalMac this morning and I relayed my serious concern about this latest mechanical issue on the Caledonian Isles, which, I have been told, is gearbox failure identified during berthing trials as it returned from a nine-month overhaul. The MV Isle of Arran must go for its annual overhaul on Wednesday and that cannot be delayed.

“CalMac will advise later today as to how they intend to provide resilience cover.

“I have impressed on them the government’s requirement that the busiest route on the network is supported this week, from Thursday to September weekend."

Mr Green responded: “The minister must be getting a real sense of déjà vu. I have lost count of how many times I have stood here and heard words like 'regret' and 'sorry', and frustration and concern and apologies over endless breakdowns and cancellations on this route.

“This is a 1,000 passenger, three-decade old vessel. It is no wonder it is breaking down. It has been out of action since February of this year. It is utterly unbelievable.

“Of course, it was due back in service to take over its replacement, the Isle of Arran, which is now off for its annual service.

“There are no vessels, no services, running out of Ardrossan to Arran.

“You cannot book on the MV Alfred tomorrow. We tried to do it just five minutes ago. That service is now full, understandably, due to its reduced capacity. And of course, it is a limited capacity that really affects our island economies.

“None of this is good enough. Cabinet secretary, you mentioned the government's frustration. What about the islanders’ frustrations in all of this?”

Ms Hyslop said CalMac had engaged directly with groups such as the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee asking their preferences as to what would happen, and that the company were “moving swiftly” to make sure there was capacity for bank holiday weekend.

Mr Green said after the session: “The SNP’s ferries scandal continues to wreak havoc as CalMac’s ageing, unreliable vessels break down with depressing regularity.

“All of our island communities and all of our mainland ports have been let down by this fiasco. CalMac are constantly required to shuffle ferries about to plug gaps in the network caused by the decrepit fleet they have been saddled as a result of this inept SNP government.”