The CalMac Ferry MV Isle of Mull, which has served Scotland’s west coast since 1988, has been forced to drastically reduce its passenger capacity to just 45 people after failing a crucial safety inspection.
The restriction came after problems were discovered with the vessel’s evacuation system during annual maintenance. “During the standard inspection, a problem with the embarkation slide was detected, leading to its failure in the inspection process,” a CalMac spokesperson explained.
The company revealed that following “an extensive global search, no direct replacement is available” for the faulty evacuation system. The spokesperson added that “the obsolescence coupled with design modifications in the replacement systems means we currently lack a compatible evacuation slide for safely transferring passengers onto life rafts in emergencies.”
The limited service has already resulted in “mayhem,” as there were no direct transportation options to the mainland for travellers from the 12th to the 16th of February.
The 37-year-old MV Isle of Mull has faced hull corrosion and engine issues over the last two years, stepping in for the usual ferry, the 30-year-old MV Isle of Lewis, currently undergoing its annual maintenance.
MV Isle of Lewis has been in dry dock since early February, but will not be back on schedule as hoped, by the end of this month due to the need for steel repairs, and some Islanders are concerned that it may not return until mid-April.
The setback is the latest in a series of challenges facing CalMac’s ageing fleet. The company’s newest vessel, MV Glen Sannox, which only entered service on January 13, 2025, is already scheduled for snagging repairs from February 23 to March 3.
CalMac’s problems have intensified to such an extent that there are growing calls for their routes to be transferred to private companies when the current contract expires in September 2024.
