Thousands of pounds worth of work is to be undertaken on two CalMac ferries to “improve the overall resilience of the fleet”.
CalMac vessels MV Loch Fyne, which sails from Mallaig to Armadale, and MV Loch Striven which services Oban to Lismore, will both have a series of electrical panels replaced during the winter season as part of upgrades being made to the company’s fleet.
Both ferries will be taken out of service during the works – it is unclear at this time which vessels will be replacing them.
MV Loch Fyne and MV Loch Striven, which both service the west coast, are two of four ferries scheduled to undergo the works; alongside two larger vessels based further south who will benefit from a contemporary new fire alarm system.
The works are part of a £200,000 contract, spanning four years, lodged by the operator this week in a bid to seek the best engineers for the job.
All interested parties have until noon on November 21 to apply.
A CalMac spokesman said: “Upgrading on-board technology to reduce the risk of breakdowns and, at the same time, helping to reduce the time out of service when faults do occur, will improve the overall resilience of the fleet.”
The cost is being met by the Scottish Governments £3.5 million Resilience Fund, which launched in August, to prevent ferries across the north from becoming out dated or obsolete.
“The Resilience Fund will allow us to start a programme of upgrades during the winter overhaul period and to procure replacement parts for obsolete equipment.”
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “We are very much aware that, as our ferries age, additional resources will be needed to keep the vessels running so our island communities stay connected.
“The funds will be used to upgrade or replace key systems and equipment on the vessels. This will be tackled on a priority basis to avoid potential vessel breakdowns and delays to the ferry service and customers.
“During the forthcoming overhaul period this winter, CMAL and CalMac will initiate the obsolescence programme of upgrades and spare part procurement. This will provide future resilience providing, in the longer term, increased vessel reliability and availability.”
