Hebrides

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddy.Tarbert, suffered a technical issue affecting the bow visor on Feb 10, 2026. As a consequence, the ferry had to operate single ended. As a result, foot passengers had to embark and disembark via the car deck, and vehicles may be required to turn on the car deck. The issue was still not resolved as of Feb 17, and due to operating single ended, the 'Hebrides' departed Uig at 09:55 a.m., 15 minutes late, with an ETA in Lochmaddy as of 11:40 a.m.

The 'Hebrides' was due to depart for the annual overhaul on Feb 25. Due to essential bow visor and gear box works, the overhaul period was to be extended. The vessel was expected to return to service on April 15. Theoperator CalMac was working on a vessel deployment review and planned provide an update on vessel allocation for the service on the route Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy by the week commencing on Feb 2.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig .Tarbert, suffered an issue with the mezzanine decks on Jan 4, 2025. This meant a reduction in the vehicle capacity aboard the ferry . Any customers impacted by this were to be contacted directly by the operator CalMac.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert, suffered an issue with the radar, which required further investigating. Unitl further notice, an amended timetable was operated. There were restrictions in place for the operating hours. Contractors were arranged to attend the Vessel on Dec 19, and an update regarding sailings was to be given at 08:30 a.m. For the time being, the following timetable was operated on Dec 19: Departure Tarbert 08:00 (delayed 07:30) Arrival Uig 09:40 a.m. Departure Uig 10:10 (delayed 09:40) a.m. Arrival Lochmaddy 11:55 a.m. Departure Lochmaddy 12:20 (delayed 11:50) p.m. Arrival Uig 2:05 p.m. Departure Uig 2:30 (early 6:15) p.m. Arrival Lochmaddy 4:15 p.m. The following sailings were cancelled: Departure Uig 2:00 p.m. Departure Tarbert 4:00 p.m.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddys, suffered a technical issue with the starboard side main engine on Dec 3. As a consequence, the scheduled 6:15 p.m. sailing departing Uig had to be cancelled. To allow time for repairs to be carried out, the 07:30 sailing from Lochmaddy on Dec 4 was cancelled too. The service was expected to resume with the 09:40 a.m. sailing departing Uig, but remained liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. A further update was expected by 1:00 p.m. for a possible amended timetable. Due to the ongoing technical issue with the sengine, the vessel had to be removed from service to allow a full repair. On Dec 7, the repairs were progressing well, and the vessel was continuing to carry out extensive sea trials on the evening. The engine were successfully completed, and the vessel operatde the following amended timetable: Departure Uig 6:15 p.m. (Delayed 2:30 ü-m-) Arrival Tarbert 7:55 p.m. The scheduled 09:00 a.m. departire from Tarbert has been cancelled.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddys, suffered a technical issue with the starboard side main engine on Dec 3. As a consequence, the scheduled 6:15 p.m. sailing departing Uig had to be cancelled. To allow time for repairs to be carried out, the 07:30 sailing from Lochmaddy on Dec 4 was cancelled too. The service was expected to resume with the 09:40 a.m. sailing departing Uig, but remained liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. A further update was expected by 1:00 p.m. for a possible amended timetable. Due to the ongoing technical issue with the sengine, the vessel had to be removed from service to allow a full repair. As a consequence, all services have cancelled up to the 6:15 p.m. sailing departing Uig on Dec 6, regarding which an update was to be provided on Dec 5 at 4:00 p.m.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig--Tarbert, suffered an electrical issue on Nov 15. As a consequence, the ferry departed from Lochmaddy at 5:15 p.m., which was one hour and five minutes behind schedule. The ETA in the port of Uig was at 7:00 p.mn., which had T a knock on delay for the 6:15 p.m. sailing from Uig to Tarbert. Customers, however, were asked to check in as normal.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert suffered an issue with the aft mezzanine deck on Oct 10. As a consequence, it has been necessary to remove the mezzanine deck from service. This has resulted in a reduction in vehicle capacity onboard the vessel until Oct 19. On Oct 20, the issue with the aft mezzanine deck has been successfully resolved.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert, suffered an issue with the controller, and as a conscequence, the passenger lift onboard the ferry had to remain out of service. The ship was thus unable to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility who cannot independently use the stairs from the car deck to the passenger accommodation. Passengers who have prebooked lift access were contacted by the operator CalMac to offer alternatives. A further visit from contractors was initally planned for Sep 26 to address the issue, and later announced to be on Sep 29 with the limitations remaining in place.

The 'Hebrides', sailing on the route Uig-Lochmaddy, suffered an issue with the fast rescue craft on Sep 3. As a consequence, the passenger capacity required to be reduced. Preferred sailings may not be available due to lower passenger capacity, and guests were asked to book in advance by the operator CalMac.

The 'Hebrides', sailing on the route Tarbert-Lochmaddy, suffered a technical issue with the’ mezzanine deck on Aug 21. As a consequence, there was a reduced vehicle capacity onboard. Customers with affected bookings were contacted directly by the ports.

The 'Hebrides ', operating on the route Uig-Tarbert was waiting on the arrival of emergency services on July 9. As a consequence, the scheduled 2:20 p.m. sailing from Uig departed at 3:12 p.m., 52 minutes late- The ETA in Tarbert was approx. 4:52 p.m. This had a knock-on effect for the 4:30 p.m. crossing from Tarbert to Uig. The 'Hebrides' departed Tarbert at 5:22 p.m., 52 minutes late. with an ETA at Uig as of approximately 6 p.m.

On July 2 the inspections to the bow visor pf the 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert, have been completed by the contractors who had been attending o conduct further investigations, and the vessel will operate the published timetable again starting on July 3.

On June 21, a temporary repair has been carried out at the bow visor of the 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy. Until July 2, contractors were to attend the ferry to conduct further inspections, starting on July1 and 2. An amended timetable will continue to operate up to and including July 2.

The 'Hebrides' will be removed from service from June 30 to July 3 in order to allow inspection of the bow visor. During this period, the'Alfred' will operate an amended timetable on the Little Minch route. The 'Hebrides' had suffered two cracks in her bow visor starboard arm. Due to location of these cracks, the visor cannot be operated, and CalMac was unable to operate it until a full inspection has been conducted. As a result, the vessel is currently operating stern loading only which is increasing turnaround times resulting in service disruption including cancellations. During this period, vehicles towing caravans/trailers, coaches and commercial vehicles will be required to reverse either on or off the vessel. The 'Alfred' will operate an amended timetable on the Little Minch route during the inspections. Timetables are being finalised and will be shared as soon as possible. The following sailings have been cancelled as a result of the amended timetable: June 13, 20 & 27 Departure Lochmaddy – 8:40 p.m. Arrival Uig – 10:25 p.m. Departure Uig – 10:40 p.m. Arrival Lochmaddy – 12:25 a.m. The inspection will take place at Stornoway, and a repair plan, including any temporary repairs, will be agreed. A full repair will not take place until the vessel’s next annual overhaul in early 2026. As part of the inspection, CalMac will look at what temporary repairs can be completed, and this will inform deployment and timetables from July 4 onwards. There are six hatches that need to be removed to allow a full inspection of the bow visor, with this work taking 12-14 hours per hatch. This means it is not possible to conduct the inspection while the vessel is in service.