Bute

The 'Bute', serving on the route Wemyss Bay- Rothesay,. suffered issues with the bow visor on Nov 17, and the vessel was operating single ended. Vehicles were required to turn on the car deck during the loading operations. Commercial vehicle drivers and towed trailers had reverse onto the ship at both Wemyss Bay and Rothesay ports.The turnaround times could thus be extended and delays were possible. Customers were asked to consider utilising the Colintraive service where possible, or consider traveling on the 'Coruisk', which was operating the following sailings on Nov 17: Departure Rothesay - 11:00 a.m., 1:05 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.; Departure Wemyss Bay - 10:05 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 6:05 pm., 8:05 p.m.

Due to the ongoing technical issue with the 'Bute', which required further investigations and repairs, a single vessel timetable was inmplented on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay from Oct 10 to Oct 12: Oct 10: Departure Rothesay – 06:25 a.m., 08:05 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m.,4:00 p.m.,6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., Departure Wemyss Bay – 07:15 a.m., 09:05 a.m.,11:15 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 3:05 p.m.,5:05, 7:05 p.m., 9:00 p.m., Oct 11: Departure Rothesay – 08:05 a.m.,10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.,2:00 p.m.,4:00 p.m.,6:00 p.m.,8:00 p.m., Departure Wemyss Bay – 09:05 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 1:05 p.m.,3:05 p.m.,5:05 p.m., 7:05 p.m.,9:00 p.m. Oct 12: Departure Rothesay – 08:05 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.,5:00 p.m.,6:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay – 09:05 a.m.,11:05 a.m., 3:05 p.m.,5:05 p.m.,7:05 p.m. However, the technical issue has been successfully resolved already on the foremidday of Oct 10, and the vessel could operate the 10:00 a.m. sailing from Rothesay. Normal timetabled service was resumed with the 11:00 a.m. sailing from Rothesay.

The 'Bute', serving on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, suffered a technical issue on Oct 7, which required further investigations. As a consequence, the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Rothesay 07:05 a.m.; 09:05 a.m.; 11:00 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay 08:05 a.m.;10:05 a.m.; 12:15 p.m., 2:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 6:05 p.m. and 08:05 p.m. Due to the ongoing issue, a single ship service remained operating as of Oct 9 with departures from Rothesay at 06:25 a.m., 08:05 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and from Wemyss Bay at 07:15 a.m., 09:05 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 5:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. As a result, the following sailings were cancelled: Departure Rothesay at 07:05 a.m., 09:05 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and from Wemyss Bay at 08:05 a.m., 10:05 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 6:05 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. An update regarding crossings on Oct 10 was to be provided in the run of Oct 9. As an alternative route, passengers were offered to travel on the Colintraive - Rhubodach service.

The 'Bute', serving on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, suffered a technical issue with the propulsion unit, which required further investigations at the quay in Rothesay, on Sep 6, As a consequence, the scheduled 08:05 a.m. sailing from Rothesay and the 09:05 a.m. sailing from Wemyss Bay were cancelled, followed by the departures from Rothesay at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 02:00 p.m., and from Wemyss Bay at 09:05 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 01:05 p.m. and 03:05 p.m. to allow engineers to carry out works. After the technical issue was resolved, the vessel resumed its service with the scheduled 04:00 p.m. sailing from Rothesay.

On Aug 24, the 'Bute', serving on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, suffered an issue with the fast rescue craft. As a result, the scheduled sailing departing Rothesay at 3 p.m. and the sailing departing Wemyss Bay at 04:05 p.m., had to be cancelled, while repairs works were carried out. The sailings of the 'Argyle' werel operated according to the timetable. After the issue was resolved, the vessel resumed its service with the 5:00 p.m. sailing departing Rothesay.

The 'Bute', operating on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay suffered a fuel issue on July 22. The departures from Rothesay at 10:000 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and from Wemyss Bay at 11:15 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. had to be cancelled with more crossings at the risk uf disruption. After the issues were successfully resolved, the following sailings, which were initially cancelled, were reinstated: Departure Rothesay - 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay -3:05 p.m., 5:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.

The 'Bute', operating on the route Wemyss Bay.Rothesay, had a technical issue with the rescue boat on April 7, that required further investigations in the port of Rothesay. As a conseuence, the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Rothesay - 1:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay - 2:05 p.m. After he technical issue has been resolved, the vessel resume service at 3:00 p.m., departing from Rothesay.

The 'Bute', serving on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, suffered a technical issue with the rescue boat on March 16, 2025. As a consequence, the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure from Rothesay at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and the departure from Wemyss Bay at 1:05 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. An update was to be provided by the operator CalMac once more information has become available.

It had been hoped that the 'Bute', which was withdrawn from service on Nov 20 might be back in operation by Dec 6. The busy mainland to Isle of Bute service will have to run as single rather than a dual ferry service, and customers are continuing to be advised to travel on foot if possible, as vehicle space is very limited. The state-controlled ferry operator has advised passengers to avoid using cars on the service and suggested a 28 mile detour to use another route. CalMac is now working on a new timeline for its return as repairs continue on the vessel, which can carry 450 passengers and 60 cars. It had only just returned to action in the week before the breakdown after an annual overhaul was delayed. CalMac stated:"MV Bute remains withdrawn from service, due to a technical fault with the aft main engine crankshaft. Replacement components are in the process of being sourced and a timeline for repairs is being developed. A return to service date will be confirmed in due course."