COMMUNITY
Scottish Government rules out purchase of new vessel for Mull Mull and Iona islanders have islanders and get to grips with the complete shambles called for the First Minisengulfing Scotland’s lifeline ter of Scotland to visit the ferry network. islands after the Scottish ‘Politicians and officials Transport Minister Graeme in Edinburgh seem to be Day refused to sanction the looking the other way, whilst purchase of a new boat for we desperately try to tell Mull, despite a summer of them what the problems are chaos across Scotland’s and how to fix them. It’s a ageing ferry network. slow moving car crash. The Mull and Iona Ferry Committee (MIFC) has also called system is bordering on the dysfunctional. for Caledoni‘There is an an Maritime Politicians and ideal vessel Assets Limited officials in available on the (CMAL), the Edinburgh seem market right Scottish Government-run to be looking the now, but CMAL ferry procureother way, whilst seems to be too arrogant ment company, we desperately and incompeto publish its try to tell tent to take own report into them what the advantage of the potential purchase of a problems are and the opportunity. catamaran that how to fix them. Even worse than that, they a team of naval seem to be architects at Strathclyde University found deliberately obstructing this much-needed vessel in the would be one of the safest most shocking and scandalin CalMac’s fleet. ous manner that shows only Joe Reade, chairman of contempt for islanders.’ MIFC, said: ‘We believe CMAL has since defended it is now time for the First Minister to come to Mull and its position saying its inhouse naval architects and Iona to hear directly from
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a third party naval architect firm both identified dozens of elements in the catamaran that did not comply with Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requirements for a passenger certificate. ‘We are acutely aware of the need to replace vessels in the fleet and we have commenced an ambitious plan of vessel replacement as part of a £587 million investment to cover vessels and harbours over the next five years,’ said a CMAL spokesperson. ‘In addition, we are actively searching the global market for second-hand tonnage to provide more immediate relief to the service. ‘If this new-build catamaran was a viable solution, we would pull out all the stops to make the purchase happen. Unfortunately, the vessel is not compliant with the strict standards required to operate in the UK. ‘We have spent considerable time and resources over the course of a year assessing the vessel and engaging with the seller of
| AUTUMN 2021
Mull & Iona Life issue 43.indd 16
05/10/2021 15:25:36
