Further delay to Orkney's Alfred joining CalMac fleet

The Scottish government has provided £9m for the nine-month long charter of MV Alfred

A new delay has prevented a charted catamaran ferry from entering service with CalMac.

The Scottish government has provided £9m for the nine-month long loan of MV Alfred, owned by Orkney-based Pentland Ferries.

It had successfully completed trials berthing at several of CalMac's west coast ports, but now requires a service of its hydraulic systems.

CalMac said it was disappointing the boat was unavailable for service.

There was previously a short delay to the arrival of the boat due to an issue with another of Pentland Ferries' vessels.

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Pentland Ferries said it was carrying out the service of the hydraulic system.

A spokesman said: "During this period of downtime CalMac are making minor amendments to the stern door to ready the vessel for service.

"An update on when works will be complete, allowing the charter to recommence, will be issued on Monday."

The catamaran has completed berthing trials on the west coast

Pauline Blackshaw, director of operational planning for CalMac, said Alfred would be deployed as soon as possible.

She said: "It is disappointing that MV Alfred is currently unavailable for service while Pentland Ferries conducts essential works to the hydraulic systems."

Earlier on Friday, CalMac chief executive Robbie Drummond said the company was looking forward to the resilience the Alfred would provide.

In its latest update on sailings, CalMac said confirmation of the availability of Alfred to operate within its network would support plans to add a second ferry to services between Ardrossan and Brodick, on Arran.

The arrangement is also dependent on another ferry, MV Hebridean Isles, returning to service following repairs.

CalMac said using the Alfred and the return of Hebridean Isles would also help it sort out sailings to Islay beyond 4 June.

The state-owned company has been having to move its ferries off their usual routes to cover other services because of breakdowns or delays affecting its routine maintenance programme.