Newsletter

As we reach the midway point of 2024, I’ve been reflecting on a successful six months of projects at CMAL. Supporting island communities in Scotland is at the heart of everything we do, and we are making good progress on our ambition to have six new major vessels on the network by the end of 2025.

The launches of MV Isle of Islay, MV Glen Rosa, and MV Loch Indaal in March, April and June, respectively, have moved these plans forward significantly.

Meanwhile, MV Glen Sannox is nearing completion, although we recognise the further delays announced recently by Ferguson Marine will be disappointing to those hoping to travel onboard during the summer holidays. We are continuing to work closely with the team at Ferguson Marine to support with her delivery by the new date of w/c 19 August.

Across on the other side of our organisation, our infrastructure team has been making steady progress on the Islay Vessel Enabling Works (IVEW). All related projects at Kennacraig, Port Askaig, and Colonsay are moving forward on schedule. This work is vital to prepare the ports for the arrival of the new vessels, ensuring they are equipped to handle the increased traffic and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.

Following last year’s visit to the Outer Hebrides in North Uist and Harris, the Board recently toured the ferry network to meet key stakeholders and discuss the ongoing enabling works, and the introduction of the two new Islay vessels. This was a productive trip taking in Brodick, Lochranza, Claonaig, Port Ellen, Port Askaig and Kennacraig.

Whilst at Kennacraig, we witnessed the significant improvements that are already taking shape. The modifications to the fixed ramp structure on the north berth have not only increased operational availability, but also allowed for continued service while work on the south berth is underway.

As we look ahead, it’s great to see the SVRP moving forward. We’ve put a lot of effort into ensuring the project is ready for the procurement stage. All new vessels will be acquired through a competitive, open and transparent European tendering process and any shipyard with an interest in bidding is welcome to do so. We look forward to the next steps as the project continues to progress.

News and views

MV Loch Indaal successfully launched

Progress on the HR(C)O project

MV Glen Rosa successfully launched in Port Glasgow

Harbour Spotlight

Largs

Nestled in the heart of the historic seaside town in North Ayrshire, Largs Harbour attracts many tourists for its scenic views as well as the ferry service to the Isle of Cumbrae.

In 2008, CMAL partnered with consulting engineers, Arch Henderson LLP, contractor George Leslie Ltd and CalMac to rebuild the Largs pier. As the pier dates back to 1834, this project was essential to preserving its historic past and safeguarding its future.

After works began, divers unearthed an unexploded torpedo beneath the pier whilst carrying out dredging. The area was cordoned off until the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit arrived to safely retrieve the torpedo, which was then taken offshore to be detonated in a controlled explosion.

On 10^th September 2009, the pier was officially re-opened by HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), unveiling a plaque to commemorate the works, at an event that was attended by over 150 local stakeholders and dignitaries. The reconstruction works primarily focussed on upgrading the overnight berthing capabilities for the ferries operating on the Cumbrae route. The project also improved facilities for local fishermen, who regularly use Largs to re-fuel and land catch.

In 2021, webcams were installed at the ferry terminal, allowing harbour users to monitor the weather in real-time.

Current facilities:

Staffed location
Pier
Slipway (not public)
Pier berthing areas
Vehicle marshalling on public roadway
Small terminal building with ticket facilities, information desk and toilets
Train station in town, 5 mins walk from port
Bus stop

Fast facts:

Largs is a regular stop for the famous Paddle Steamer Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer
Accommodates two small ferries and small cruise vessels
There are three sets of boat steps on the pier to accommodate different sizes and designs of small craft vessels

Behind the Scenes

Preparing for launch

—Lewis Hammell, Technical Manager

Lewis Hammell and others at Loch Indaal launch

Launching a vessel is a complex and meticulously planned process, requiring extensive preparation and coordination. Before a vessel is sent down the slipway to meet the sea for the first time at the pre-handover launch, a variety of critical elements must be finalised to ensure it is ready for the significant milestone. Not to mention the differences that need to be considered when launching in a different country.

For the vessel to be considered ready to launch, it must receive approval from both the classification society, Lloyds Register, and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA). In addition, CMAL (as the vessel owner) must also be satisfied with the structural integrity of the boat. Our on-site supervision team uses a comprehensive checklist to verify that all the safety and design requirements are met. Once all bodies have given the green light, the shipyard can get started with organising the occasion.

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The entire operation demands precision and coordination for it to run like clockwork

Although launching MV Loch Indaal in Türkiye followed a similar process to that of a Scottish launch (i.e. dynamic launching), there were a few additional considerations that made the milestone unique.

For one, MV Loch Indaal was launched into the water bow-in, as at time of assembly, MV Isle of Islay was also on the slipway. Therefore, there was not enough space between the vessels to have them both facing the water stern-in, the more traditional way to launch. This unconventional approach was a first for many of the team involved in the project.

With the launch taking place in summer, we also had to consider how the hot weather could impact the vessel going into the water, something we don’t usually have to worry about in Scotland! Temperatures can reach over 30 degrees in the midday sun of Türkiye, so there were concerns that the tallow grease on the ways, which allows the vessel to smoothly depart the slipway, would get too hot and melt into an oil consistency in the intense heat. To avoid this, the event took place in the cooler morning hours, meaning an early wake-up call for the yard workers and attendees.

In terms of logistics, once the ceremonial bottle of whisky is smashed, yard workers must quickly and efficiently release the supports, allowing the vessel to glide down the slipway. The entire operation demands precision and coordination for it to run like clockwork.

The recent launches of MV Isle of Islay, MV Glen Rosa and MV Loch Indaal are not only a significant step towards providing Scotland’s island communities with essential lifeline services, but they’re also an opportunity for the shipyard workers to celebrate their hard work. The launches of Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal were scheduled on a Saturday, enabling the Cemre workers to share the milestones with their families, who play a vital role in supporting the workforce.

I’ve been heavily involved in the project to build the four vessels in Türkiye, and following the journey of the ferries from inception on paper to the preparation of their launch has been thoroughly rewarding. The successful collaboration with the brilliant team at Cemre Shipyard underscores the collective efforts required to bring such milestones to fruition. This partnership is instrumental in our ongoing mission to deliver high-quality ferries for Scotland’s island communities.

Water we up to?

In this feature, we delve deeper into some of CMAL’s live projects. In preparation for the arrival of Islay’s two new vessels, Port Askaig ferry terminal began its six-week closure last month and we’re reflecting on the completion of the public engagement events held as part of the Harbour Revision (Consolidation) Order (HRCO). We also wave goodbye to John Quinn, who has retired from CMAL after 8 years.

Preparations at Port Askaig

With the two Islay vessels making significant progress, preparations for their arrival have already begun at Argyll & Bute Councils harbour, Port Askaig, where the ferry terminal is currently closed for six weeks and will reopen in August.

Throughout the closure, CalMac has implemented amended timetables for the Kennacraig – Port Ellen – Port Askaig and Oban – Colonsay – Post Askaig services to support travellers and communities on Islay, Jura and Colonsay.

The project’s successful beginning in March included the replacement of the existing fenders, which saw no disruption to services thanks to the efficient use of shoreside cranes to carry out the work between ferry arrivals and departures.

Currently, George Leslie Ltd contractors are working to replace the fenders on the roundhead structure and installing a new mooring aid, further work will be carried out when the pier reopens and is expected to be fully completed later this year, just in time to welcome MV Isle of Islay, due to arrive in Scotland in late Autumn.

CMAL Port of Oban with MV Isle of Mull berthed alongside

Harbour Revision (Consolidation) Order

Earlier this year, CMAL began informal pre-application consultations for the promotion of a networkwide HR(C)O aiming to improve safety and provide a consistent legal framework to operate, upgrade and maintain CMAL harbours and marine infrastructure.

The need for this HR(C)O was recognised following a review of documentation which identified over 60 varieties of legal papers relating to the operations at the 16 locations where CMAL is the Statutory Harbour Authority and the 11 other locations where CMAL is deemed Harbour Authority.

Throughout the 21 pre-application consultation events held over spring, the communities provided constructive feedback, mainly expressing support for the order and for the plans to provide consistent legislation that will maintain the safe operation of the ferry services at CMAL’s harbours.

Feedback from the events is currently being reviewed and responses will be collated and shared on the CMAL website in due course. We will also be in touch with individuals to address any concerns raised. The order will then be taken to Transport Scotland’s formal consultation period of 42 days where anyone can submit grounds for objections.

John Quinn has retired!

Long-standing & well respected Senior Civil Engineer John Quinn has retired from CMAL after over 8 years of service to the company.

John initially joined CMAL as Client Project Manager for the construction of Brodick Ferry Terminal in 2015 and saw its successful completion in spring 2018. Following his work at Brodick, he went on to successfully deliver many other projects at CMAL, including other new build projects at Lochaline, and the Scottish Civil Engineering Award winning Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal Improvements project.

John came full circle at CMAL, and one of his final projects was overseeing the demolition of the old pier at Brodick. He leaves many friends at CMAL, and we wish him all the best for his travel adventures through a long and happy retirement!

We held a small lunch to say thanks & wish him well on his last week in the office.

CMAL staff celebrating John's retirement

Picture this—Seas the day

Check out what our team has been up to over the last few months.

Have you been at one of our community engagement events? Or spotted one of our ferries on the move? Tweet us at @cmassets for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.

Members of the CMAL board visiting Kennacraig whilst works are ongoing

The CMAL Board has been touring the ferry network—visiting Arran before stopping at Kennacraig to see the progress in preparing for the Islay vessels