Cable blunder causing yet more delays to new Isle of Arran ferry
The MV Glen Sannox is already 4 years late
Last updated 11th Feb 2022
It's feared the latest setback to the delivery of a new ferry for the Isle of Arran could be 'just the tip of the iceberg ' as the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow admits completion will be delayed even further because of an issue with internal cabling.
The MV Glen Sannon, and a sister ship which has yet to be launched, are already four years late and likely to cost more than double their original budget.
Ferguson Marine wrote to the Scottish Government this week to admit that about 36km of cables that were installed in ferries under construction were too short to connect to electrical systems.
'Hammer blow' for islands
Commenting on news of further delays to the ferries being built at Port Glasgow, Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: "This latest fiasco at Ferguson is another hammer blow for island communities, who have had to put up with a sub-standard ferry service under the SNP for far too long.
"Glen Sannox is already years late, and this blunder will leave people wondering if it will ever go into service.
"The ship was meant to support one of CalMac's busiest crossing routes between Ardrossan to Brodick but this further hold-up means passengers will have to make do even longer with ageing and increasingly unreliable ferries.
"We need to be told the cost and time implications of the latest blunder at this the SNP-owned shipyard, which is in danger of becoming a laughing stock."
Asked during First Minister's Questions what the cost and expected delay would be as a result of the issue, Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is an issue around cabling that was installed by (Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited) contractors in late 2018 and early 2019 prior to the shipyard coming into public ownership.
"The Government and the Finance Secretary will be working closely with the yard to ensure that this is rectified as quickly as possible and as cost effectively as possible and she will of course keep Parliament fully updated."
READ MORE: How Covid set back ferry schedule
READ MORE: Calls for public inquiry into ferry fiasco
Search for alternative ferries
In response, a Transport Scotland spokesman pointed to the Scottish Government's ÂŁ580 million Infrastructure Investment Plan to address the delays.
He added: "The MV Pentalina was considered for a possible time charter in 2021 although it was withdrawn from availability by its owner before the formal agreement was signed.
"Whilst we would not purchase the vessel we remain open to exploring the charter option further should this be reconsidered by the vessels' owner.
"Following the recent DML recruitment, the Transport Minister has asked as a priority that the new DML chair, considers and takes forward measures to ensure island representatives views are heard more directly on our Boards.
"In addition, Calmac, CMAL and Transport Scotland regularly engage with Island communities through ferry committees, the Ferry Communities Board, local groups and the Local Authorities, including regular engagement with Cllr Robertson."
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.