Scottish Government rules out purchase of new vessel for Mull

Mull and Iona islanders have called for the First Minister of Scotland to visit the islands after the Scottish Transport Minister Graeme Day refused to sanction the purchase of a new boat for Mull, despite a summer of chaos across Scotland’s ageing ferry network.

Mull and Iona Ferry Committee (MIFC) has also called for Caledoni-

an Maritime “Assets Limited (CMAL), the Scottish Government-run ferry procurement company, to publish its own report into the potential purchase of a catamaran that a team of naval architects at Strathclyde University found would be one of the safest in CalMac’s fl eet.

Joe Reade, chairman of MIFC, said: ‘We believe it is now time for the First Minister to come to Mull and Iona to hear directly from islanders and get to grips with the complete shambles engulfi ng Scotland’s lifeline ferry network. ‘Politicians and offi cials in Edinburgh seem to be looking the other way, whilst we desperately try to tell them what the problems are and how to fi x them. It’s a slow moving car crash. The system is bordering on the dysfunctional. ‘There is an ideal vessel available on the market right now, but CMAL seems to be too arrogant and incompetent to take advantage of the opportunity. Even worse than that, they seem to be deliberately obstructing this much-needed vessel in the most shocking and scandalous manner that shows only contempt for islanders.’

CMAL has since defended its position saying its inhouse naval architects and

a third party naval architect fi rm both identifi ed dozens of elements in the catamaran that did not comply with Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requirements for a passenger certifi cate. ‘We are acutely aware of the need to replace vessels in the fl eet and we have commenced an ambitious plan of vessel replacement as part of a £587 million Politicians and investment to cover vessels and harbours over the next officials in fi ve years,’ said a CMAL Edinburgh seem spokesperson. to be looking the ‘In addition, we are actively other way, whilst searching the global market we desperately for second-hand tonnage to provide more immediate try to tell relief to the service. them what the ‘If this new-build catamaproblems are and ran was a viable solution, how to fix them. 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

the catamaran to address the modifi cations required to meet UK compliance and secure a passenger certifi cate.

‘We were unable to secure assurances from the seller that these requirements would be met.

‘As a public body, we simply cannot spend millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on a new-build vessel that may not be able to secure a passenger certifi cate and therefore never be able to operate on Scottish routes.’

Transport Scotland also assured members of the ferry committee and the island communities that the decision against pursuing the vessel has not been taken lightly.

Consideration

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: ‘There has been a lack of confi dence in the vessel’s suitability from the outset of this process, but we are confi dent CMAL has given it the appropriate level of due consideration given the strong feelings from the community on the issue.

‘We are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage and looking at other credible, affordable and viable options to improve resilience. We would urge the committee to continue to work with Transport Scotland, CalMac and CMAL as we progress the MV Isle of Mull Replacement Programme.’

In its full account of events which have been published on its website, MIFC allege a catalogue of failings by CMAL in the handling of the potential purchase.