ARRAN'S main ferry could be out of action until the end of the summer season, according the the island's ferry committee.

The Isle of Arran Ferry Committee (IOAFC) provided the update on the MV Caledonian Isles on Wednesday, April 24.

The vessel hasn't operated on the Ardrossan-Brodick route since it was taken out of service in early January for its annual overhaul.

Later that month Caledonian MacBrayne said the 31-year-old ship's return to service would be delayed until early March due to the need for additional steelwork repairs.

Then, in February, it was announced that more extensive work was be required, costing £5m and lasting for an estimated 16 additional weeks - meaning the ship could be out of service until around June or July.

Now a further setback has been reported by the IOAFC following a call with CalMac's fleet manager and their major vessel head.

The committee say that extensive work is still required on MV Caledonian Isles which may delay its return until the end of August.

An IOAFC spokesperson said: "(They) have advised that the MV Caledonian Isles repair plan now shows there is a significant amount of work still to be done.

"These continued works which mean she will not return until sometime late August."

At present, they say they have not been informed of how capacity issues will be addressed over the busy summer months as a result of the steback.

The spokesperson continued: "Unfortunately, no-one from the operations side was in attendance to advise how they will address this capacity issue over the summer season.

"Contingency has therefore not been decided at this stage and IOAFC will be pushing all agencies - CalMac and Transport Scotland - for additional capacity."

The service operators have since confirmed that further "complex" repairs are required, hence the delay.

CalMac’s interim CEO Duncan Mackison said: “MV Caledonian Isles is now expected to return to service by the end of August. In the last week, we have been advised that the scope of repairs will take significantly longer than anticipated.

“We know this news is disappointing, particularly for people on Arran, which is normally served by the vessel.

"We issued a revised summer timetable when we knew MV Caledonian Isles would be unavailable for a significant period of time.

"That timetable will remain in place until she is ready to return, though we will continue to explore what we can do to support the service on that route.

“The scope of work provided in February was indicative and subject to change based on a full analysis of the vessel’s repair needs.

"The nature of the vessel’s structure is such that this analysis has been ongoing alongside repairs. This is a highly complex repair effort where we have to be mindful of the vessel’s age and condition."

Mr Mackison also looked to further explain the scale of work required on the aging vessel.

He added: “As part of the works, the auxiliary engines and their bedplates were removed from the vessel to allow access to the double bottom water ballast tank tops.

"The structure below the main engines is being supported using hydraulic jacks, whilst the steel around these engines is renewed. The main engines will need to be lifted off their bedplates to allow access under the engines for renewal of the tank top steel directly below the sump.  

“With our partners, we exhausted every possible avenue to avoid removing the engines, but this is the only way to complete the works to the standard required.

“Our aim is to get the vessel back into service as quickly as possible, and it is in that spirit that we are in regular contact with the dry dock operator, which is working around the clock to complete these repairs at speed.

"We will continue to liaise with the Arran Ferry Committee and other local stakeholders on the vessel’s progress.” 

At present, two ferries are servicing routes between Ayrshire and Brodick.

MV Isle of Arran is currently operating between Ardrossan and Brodick, while MV Alfred, the catamaran chartered from Orkney-based Pentland Ferries, is running between Troon and Brodick, and is expected to do so until August 21.

Afred is unable to use Ardrossan Harbour after the facility's owners, Peel Ports, shut the terminal's second berth - the 'Irish berth' - earlier this year on safety grounds.

West Scotland Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said today: “This is yet another hammer blow to the residents of Arran who have suffered more than anyone from the SNP’s ferries scandal.

“The fact that the Caledonian Isles will be out of action until June – coupled with the recent confirmation of further delays to Glen Sannox entering service – means islanders face yet another summer season at the mercy of an ageing, decrepit fleet.

“The impact this is having on tourism, the wider island economy and the quality of life of Arran residents is devastating.

“Scotland’s island communities continue to be betrayed by the SNP’s breath-taking incompetence. While senior officials at Ferguson Marine and CalMac have carried the can and lost their jobs, it’s outrageous that we’ve still not had a single ministerial resignation.”