CalMac is accused of emissions breach in wake of Sabbath row

Environmental health officers took action after complaints from local businesses that the MV Isle of Lewis which runs from Stornoway to Ullapool on the mainland was allegedly belching out thick black smoke.

However, it has been claimed the move is the latest round in an on-going battle over controversial Sunday sailings from Lewis to the mainland, which the council strongly opposed.

The MV Isle of Lewis made its first Sunday sailing last July from Stornoway to Ullapool amidst protests mainly from the Free Church.

One council employee, who did not want to be named, said: "Complaints were first made about a year ago shortly after the Sabbath sailings battle.

"People in an office overlooking the harbour said they were bothered by the smoke.

"But when they were asked to come up with dates, times and places everything went silent. It went quiet for a whole year then the complaints started up again.

"The council is hard-line on certain issues with the Wee Frees (a nickname for the Free Church] having quite a say in their own way." Western Isles Council is asking the procurator fiscal to prosecute the state-owned shipping firm, claiming it is blowing illegal dirty emissions from its exhausts. Environmental health officers took measurements of the particles in the smoke apparently puffing out of the ship's twin funnels.

Last night a council spokesman denied the pollution complaints were motivated by the Sabbatarian sailings dispute.

"That's complete rubbish. It has absolutely nothing to do with Sunday sailings. The complaint is not connected to that at all. The council received a complaint about smoke emitting from the CalMac ferry.

"The council is now in the process of submitting a report to the procurator fiscal."

If the case proceeds it would be heard in Stornoway Sheriff Court with the company facing a possible hefty fine. A CalMac spokesman said the company was strictly regulated and monitored over emissions.

"It would not be appropriate to comment on this particular allegation as the Procurator Fiscal has yet to decide whether there is a case to answer, however, we are fully aware of our environmental obligations and all our operations, including vessels, fully comply with all relevant environmental legislation.

"In addition we have a system which helps us manage the impact on the environment."

The spokesman added he was not aware of any prosecution for emissions since the 160 years old company came into public ownership in the early 1970s.

In 2009 the MV Isle of Lewis's engines was converted to burn a cheaper fuel which is heavier than that previously used. Cal-Mac said it was not less environmentally friendly as it is more energy efficient.