Overview
- CalMac said almost a third of its fleet is out of action, with six major and four small vessels unavailable and widespread cancellations across island routes.
- The MV Glen Sannox was removed from service due to a fuel pump fault in its port engine, stopping sailings between Troon and the Isle of Arran.
- Other key ships are also sidelined, including Lord of the Isles with a starboard engine issue, Isle of Lewis delayed until the end of May for steelwork, Isle of Arran awaiting bow‑thruster parts, and several small ferries in repair.
- First Minister John Swinney apologized to islanders and said focused repair work is under way as the government adds capacity through new vessels from the Cemre yard and several smaller builds.
- The Glen Sannox and sister ship Glen Rosa were delivered years late and far over budget, and Ferguson Marine later told MSPs the propeller designs were only computer tested, a lapse linked to the vibration fixes and reliability problems now surfacing.