Journey from Turkey to Scotland: CalMac vessel travels 4400 nautical miles to reach home berth
With around five million passengers every year, the CalMac fleet is an essential part of everyday life in Scotland. Well, the team are today celebrating having just taken delivery of the latest vessel to join its fleet.
The MV Isle of Islay recently arrived into Scotland following an eventful journey from Cemre shipyard, Turkey. During her 4400 nautical mile voyage, the crew faced storms – and even carried out a successful rescue mission off the coast of Morocco.
‘It’s the end of the delivery voyage but the start of an exciting new chapter for CalMac,’ says Duncan Mackison, CalMac CEO.
‘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.’
She’s now berthed at Inchgreen dock in Greenock where she will spend an estimated two weeks on the Clyde as a final fit-out is carried out.
It’s envisaged the ‘entry to service’ phase will take place in the latter part of next month when she’s expected to start work on the Islay route.
Image: Brian Fulton (provided by CalMac)
‘A welcome sight for everyone’
‘The MV Isle of Islay’s arrival in Scotland is a welcome sight for everyone, but especially the communities she will serve,’ explains Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL.
‘We’d like to extend our thanks to the crew who have brought her home, and everyone involved in her journey to get here. She will provide added resilience and capacity to the network, and we look forward to seeing her carrying passengers very soon.’
The journey from Turkey saw a CalMac-branded vessel pass many places for the first time – including Greek islands and the coastlines of Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
With the capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles, she’ll give the Islay routes with a 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity and will strengthen the overall resilience of CalMac’s wider fleet.
‘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,’ says Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
‘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 provides more than 160,000 sailings every year to 50 destinations around the Scottish coast. The company employs 1600 people.
Image: Brian Fulton (provided by CalMac)
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