CalMac's newest ferry Isle of Islay arrives on the Clyde
The vessel finally arrived after battling severe weather and a dramatic rescue mission.
CalMac’s brand new Islay ferry has officially arrived on the Clyde.
The long-awaited vessel pulled into Greenock on Sunday morning after a storm-battered crossing.
Isle of Islay took some four-and-a-half weeks to complete a 3,000-mile journey from a Turkish shipyard to Scotland.
The voyage was initially meant to take two weeks, but ended up being over a month because of poor weather.
The journey from Turkey has seen a CalMac-branded vessel pass many places for the first time – including Greek islands and the coastlines of Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco - the latter being due to stormy conditions meaning it was safer for the ferry to shelter there than in Gibraltar harbour.
The ferry’s crew also became involved in the dramatic rescue of a Moroccan man spotted in the water with a flimsy buoyancy aid who is thought to have been trying to swim to seek asylum at a Spanish enclave on the north African coast.
The new vessel will spend an estimated two weeks on the Clyde as final fit-out and activities to deliver her to operations take place, and further updates will follow on preparations for entry to service on the Islay route between Kennacraig and Port Askaig later in March.
With the capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles, the new ferry will give the Islay routes a 40 per cent increase in vehicle and freight capacity. Officials said its arrival in Scotland will also strengthen the overall resilience of CalMac’s wider fleet.
The long-awaited vessel pulled into Greenock on Sunday morning after a storm-battered crossing.
CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said: "It’s the end of the delivery voyage but the start of an exciting new chapter for CalMac.
“The crew, who have been putting the vessel through her paces on an epic voyage across the Mediterranean and North Atlantic in the depths of winter, are delighted to have reached Scotland.
“They deserve massive credit for the job they have done in sailing home during treacherous weather and sea conditions and being involved in a CalMac first in saving a life at sea off the coast of Morocco.
“Over the next few weeks, we’ll finalise preparations to get the vessel ready to enter passenger service for Islay and Jura.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I am delighted that the MV Isle of Islay has arrived in Scottish waters, with the vessel due to enter service in the coming weeks.
“The MV Isle of Islay will improve capacity and reliability on the Islay route, as well as enhance the resilience of the CalMac major vessel fleet. Full focus is now on preparing the vessel to enter service as soon as possible for the people and economy of Islay.
“I want to share my sincere thanks and admiration for the crew who delivered the MV Isle of Islay to Scotland, and for their bravery and skill in undertaking a rescue operation on route.”
CalMac said it is bringing the Islay ferry back during the winter because it was completed 15 months late. Works on the vessel were due to have been finished in October 2024.
The delay was as a result of several factors including supply chain problems, which has led to three other ferries running behind schedule.
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