MV Loch Frisa

New name of vessel revealed

21 December 2021

Over 1000 votes were cast in our naming competition, and it was a very close.The winning name has today been confirmed as MV Loch Frisa.

MV Loch Frisa, previously known as the MV Utne, was purchased by CMAL from Norway in October, and will bring extra resilience to the network. She is currently at Dales Marine Services Ltd in Leith, and is undergoing modification work to bring her in line with UK maritime regulations.

Work includes manufacturing and installing a new ramp, replacing lifejackets and other lifesaving appliances to ensure they meet UK standards, upgrading the marine evacuation system and life raft deployment, as well as some mooring works.

The work should be completed in early 2022, and once the CalMac crew has undergone on board familiarisation training, she will be deployed on the Oban-Craignure route.

There will also be a small ceremony in the new year, where Argyll and Bute councillor Mary-Jean Devon, who is from Tobermory, will officially rename the vessel.

Help us name the newest member of our fleet 

22 November 2021

Voting is now open to rename the MV Utne, which has joined the CMAL fleet.

The names in the shortlist are all associated with Mull, the island that the vessel will primarily serve.

The shortlisted names are:

  • Loch Frisa – The largest loch on the Isle of Mull, located four miles south of Tobermory.
  • Glen Forsa – A beautiful open glen in the heart of Mull, with the peak of Beinn Talaidh at its head.
  • Torosay – Torosay Castle was built in 1858 by architect David Bryce, and it sits on the northwest side of Mull’s Duart Bay.

The competition is open now and voting closes at midnight on Sunday 19th December 2021. The winner will be drawn on Tuesday 21st  December 2021.

One person chosen at random from those suggesting the most popular name will be invited as a special guest (with a friend) to travel onboard the newly named vessel, and win a £200 gift voucher for the Isle of Mull hotel.

Terms and conditions apply and can be viewed here