A SINGLE-vessel service will operate on the Dunoon to Gourock ferry route while urgent repairs are carried out to MV Argyll Flyer.
An issue with the exhaust, which requires comprehensive repair work, has been found during the vessel’s annual maintenance. A detailed repair plan is currently being prepared, but early indications are that the vessel may be required to be off service for several months. The vessel is likely to require modifications that will take time to design and implement.
MV Argyll Flyer was due to return on Tuesday 1 April, but the route will be operated solely by MV Ali Cat. Customers and local communities will be kept informed about a return to service date.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: “The health and safety of our crew and customers is our number one priority and it is important that the exhaust is fixed so that they are not exposed to unacceptable levels of exhaust fumes. We understand that only having one vessel on the Gourock to Dunoon route will be inconvenient to our customers and we are sorry about this.
“Unfortunately, there is not another vessel we can move to this route, and we will not have any spare during this period. Repairs will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will update customers once these have been successfully completed.”
Due to crew hours of rest, the daily 1015 sailing from Gourock and the 1045 from Dunoon will be cancelled each day, as will the 2240 from Gourock and the 2310 from Dunoon on a Tuesday.
To allow for essential maintenance to be carried out while MV Ali Cat is operating a single-vessel timetable, the 1115 from Gourock and the 1145 from Dunoon will be cancelled on a Monday and Friday.
Replacement bus services will operate for these cancelled sailings.
