Embattled CalMac ferry Hebrides suffers fresh defects after gearbox repairs
Hebrides and CalMac vessel Glen Sannox have been in and out of shipyard recently (Source: CalMac)
The UK-flagged Hebrides has suffered further technical faults almost immediately after leaving the repair yard, extending disruption across CalMac’s west coast network and keeping the 26-year-old ferry out of service until at least the second week of May.
CalMac said the vessel had completed gearbox repairs in Leith and departed on Sunday, but developed fresh defects during its return voyage and was diverted to Aberdeen for inspection and rectification work. The operator said the latest faults involved a leak in the bow visor seal, a main engine governor fault and a mezzanine deck hydraulic leak.
The UK-flagged Hebrides had been due to return to service on Little Minch routes linking the islands of Harris, Skye and North Uist after annual overhaul work, but the delay has forced further vessel redeployments across the network. CalMac has extended its contingency deployment plan until at least Friday while repairs continue.
Kirsty McFarlane, chair, Coll Community Council, said: “Bow visor leaking, main engine trouble, mezzanine deck hydraulic leak - how a vessel can leave drydock after two months with these basic malfunctions is a question we wish senior management to respond to.”
CalMac said the gearbox fault had been resolved over the weekend, but the vessel required further work before re-entering service. The operator said port teams were working to reduce disruption and maintain freight and passenger movements while the repair schedule remained under review.
