This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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MV Coruisk joins CalMac fleet
14/08/2003
West-coast residents and travellers will have access to improved ferry services with the addition of a sheltered water vessel, the MV Coruisk, to the CalMac fleet.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said the MV Coruisk, which costs £7.5 million, will serve the Mallaig - Armadale route during the summer season and the Upper Clyde routes during the winter months.
Mr Stephen said the port and railhead at Mallaig was now home to two of CalMac's newest vessels reflecting the ever increasing levels of traffic carried. The new vessel, which was officially named in a special ceremony on Skye today, replaced the MV Lord of the Isles which had already transferred to its new operating base in Oban.
Mr Stephen said:
"MV Coruisk is the fourth new ship launched by CalMac during the last three years giving west-coast residents access to improved ferry services. It marks another milestone in the investment programme to improve our ports and harbours as well as vessels.
"The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to maintaining the lifeline ferry links to our more remote island and mainland communities. A central plank of this pledge is the delivery of a safe, efficient, affordable and modern fleet of vessels. The introduction of this latest vessel reinforces that commitment.
"The ferry service across the Sound of Sleat has traditionally proved extremely popular with both islanders and tourists and provides an alternative to the Skye Bridge."
Funding for MV Coruisk (and MV Loch Portain) was first announced in October 2001 by former Transport Minister Sarah Boyack. The vessel is being financed through a Loan from the Scottish Executive's Transport Budget.
Baroness Michie attended today's naming ceremony for the MV Coruisk at Armadale on Skye.
The vessel will operate between Mallaig and Armadale (Skye) during the summer and will move to the Upper Clyde during the winter where it will be one of the ships operating on the Gourock - Dunoon and Wemyss Bay - Rothesay routes, as overhaul programmes dictate.
MV Coruisk was built by Appledore Shipbuilders Limited of North Devon and will have capacity to carry 200 passengers, 40 cars and 4 HGVs. It is equipped to carry 44 tonne vehicles and to transport dangerous goods. It also has roll-on/roll-off facilities with a side loading ramp. Its flexibility for loading/unloading makes it a particularly useful addition for use on the Upper Clyde.
The introduction of MV Coruisk follows the introduction of MV Loch Portain earlier this year and MV Loch Nevis and MV Hebrides in 2000-2001. Funding for these 4 vessels totals in excess of £33 million.