Reviews & Ratings for the Isle-Of-Lewis

**Title: 'Isle of Lewis' Encounters Technical Challenges with Exhaust and Turbocharger** On May 15, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', which operates the Ullapool-Stornoway route, experienced a significant setback due to an exhaust problem, resulting in operational delays. Once the issue was addressed, the vessel announced it would add an extra service, with a departure from Stornoway at 10:30 a.m. and a return from Ullapool at 2:30 p.m. However, on May 16, further problems arose when a technical malfunction involving the turbocharger led to the cancellation of the extra sailings that had been previously scheduled. As a result, the 'Isle of Lewis' remained docked in Stornoway from May 17 onwards. Fortunately, on May 18, the crew managed to resolve the complications with the starboard main engine. This allowed the ferry to resume its service, and the 2:30 p.m. sailing from Ullapool was successfully conducted, albeit with a slight delay, departing at 3 p.m. The vessel continues to be a vital link for travelers on this scenic route.

**Title: Essential Steelwork Delays 'Isle of Lewis' Service Amid Maintenance Updates** CalMac has officially announced that the 'Isle of Lewis' will undergo significant steelwork repairs, prompting a reassessment of service deployment plans from early March through the end of May. This decision comes after the discovery of steel deterioration atop a fuel tank, which has been deemed critical for obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the vessel's return to operational status. Unfortunately, the option for temporary repairs has been deemed unfeasible. The drydock team has indicated that the duration of these essential repairs could extend up to three months. To facilitate this maintenance, fuel has already been drained from the tank, and a variety of equipment—including the sewage treatment plant, ballast pumps, fire pumps, and their associated pipework—must be removed to allow for the steel renewal process. The timeline for service resumption will also be impacted by the need to reinstall and commission this equipment after repairs are completed. As a result, the 'Isle of Lewis' will remain out of service for the remainder of the winter, stretching into the beginning of the summer schedule. The vessel's overhaul will coincide with the planned maintenance periods for other ferries, including the 'Hebrides' (February 27 - April 13), the 'Loch Frisa' (March 16 - April 7), and the 'Finlaggan' (April 20 - May 8). In more positive news, the 'Caledonian Isles' has successfully resumed operations this week, offering five daily round trips between Ardrossan and Brodick. Additionally, major works on the 'Glen Sannox' are nearing completion, ensuring continued service reliability for CalMac's fleet.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered an issue with the bow ramp on Dec 16. As a consequence, an amended timetable was operated to allow engineers to attend for inspections. Departure Castlebay - 06:00 a.m. Arrival Oban - 10:45 a.m. Departure Oban - 1:30 p.m. Arrival Castlebay - 6:15 p.m.

On the morning of Dec 12, the 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a technical issue, that required further investigations. To allow this to be carried out, the vessel has returned to Oban. There would be an update on service when more information is available.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a defect on a piece of equipment associated with the life saving apparatus on Dec 3, and all sailings of the day had to be cancelled. As a further consequence, the vessel had to be relocated to Stornoway for repairs. On Dec 5, repairs were progressing, and a further update was to be provided at approximately 11:00 a.m.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, goc debris in its bow thruster on Dec 2, which was obstructing the propulsion. As a consquenece, the scheduled sailing departing Oban at 1 p.m. was delayed to allow divers to attend and inspect the issue. Customers were asked to check in as normal. After the obstruction was removed, the vessel departed Oban at 1:35 p.m. with an ETA in Castlebay as of 6:20 p.m.

Repairs have been carried out on the car deck ventilation system of the 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Ullapool-Stornoway, and the full vehicle capacity has been reinstated on Nov 17, starting with the 07:00 a.m. departure from Stornoway. Until Nov 16, ion order to provide additional capacity, the ferry had operated additional sailings from Stornoway at 07:00 a.m. and from Ullapool at 10:45 a.m.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Ullapool-Stornoway, which has suffered a fault with the car deck ventilation system, continued to operate with a 30 car restriction until further notice. Due to the restrictions, the vessel was not in a position to carry any HGV’s, LGV,s, livestock, electric vehicles or any dangerous goods until a full repair has been carried out. There were no restrictions in place for foot passengers. In order to provide additional capacity, the 'Isle of Lewis' will operate the following additional sailings until Nov 16: Departure Stornoway - 07:00 a.m. Departure Ullapool - 10:45 a.m.

Due to the technical fault with the car deck ventilation system on the 'Isle of Lewis', all sailings up to and including the 2:30 p.m. departure from Stornoway on Nov 10 were operated as passenger only services due to a further fault identified with the re-fitted fan . Initially it was announced that the Ullapool-Stornoway service could accomodate up to 30 cars following a partial repair t up to and including the 10.45 a.m. departure from Ullapool on Nov 11. Due to restrictions the vessel was unable to carry any HGV’s, LGV,s, Livestock, Electric Vehicles or any dangerous goods until a full repair has been carried out. There were no restrictions in place for foot passengers. Non electric pedal bikes could still be accommodated too. Due to the ongoing issues, the ferry was sailing with a delay on the evening. https://calm.ac/25

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Ullapool-Stornoway, suffered a delay on Oct 26 to an issue with a vehicle onboard in Ullapool. After the car deck was cleared, the ferry finally departed from the port at 6:40 p.m., 40 minutes later than scheduled, with an ETA in Stornoway as of 9:40 p.m.

On Oct 20, a medical emergency occurred on the 'Isle of Lewis', servingf on the route Ullapool-Stornoway. To deal with this, the ferry remained stationary in Ullapool beyond the scheduled departure time of 6:15 p.m. The ferry finally departed the port at 7.38 p.m., almost 1,5 hours late. The ETA in Stornoway was at 10:38 p.m.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered an issue with the ramp, which required further investigations, on Sep 290. As a consequence, the depature from Oban at 1:10 p.m. was delayed. After the issue has been resolved, the vessel started loading for departure.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a technical issue which required further investigation on Sep 9. As a consequence, the scheduled departure from Castlebay at 06:55 a.m. was delayed. After the issue was successfully resolved, the ferry finally departed at 07:55 a.m., one hour late, with an ETA at the port of Oban as of 12:40 p.m. The departure at 1:10 p.m. from Oban was expected to take place as scheduled.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered an issue with the bow visor in the port of Oban on Aug 19. As a consequence, the scheduled 1.10 p.m. sailing from Oban iwas delayed. After the issue was resolved, the 'Isle Of Lewis' finally departed Oban at 2:00 p.m.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a technical issue with the ramp on Aug 15 and a potential fouled propeller. Both problems required further inspections, and the departure from Castlebay was at 05:30 a.m. and the arrival at Oban at 10:15 a.m. as a consequence.

Due to a technical issue with the 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, on June 11, the scheduled departure from Oban at 1:10 p.m. was delayed, while further investigations took place. After the repairs have been successfully completed, the vessel finally departed from Oban at 5:50 p.m. The 'Loch Alainn' delayed the following sailings in order to provide onward connections: Departure Barra - 11:15 p.m. (late 7:20 p.m.) Departure Eriskay - 1:05 a.m. (late 08:15 p.m.).

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a technical issue impacting the port side main engine on the morning of May 18. Initially, the scheduled 12:40 pm. departure from Oban was delayed, before the service had to be cancelled completely. In order to provide a suitable berth for repairs and contractor attendance, the vessel was reposition to Stornoway on the evening of May 18, where it arrived on the morning of May 19. The service remained cancelled as of May 20. After repairs, the vessel was expected to return to service on the morning of May 21. The vessel made passage from Stornoway and operated a delayed service.

The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban - Castlebay, had a medical emergency onboard on the morning of April 9. As a conseuquence, the 06:55 a.m. sailing had to return to Castlebay. In the follow-up,the vessel did not call into Craignure on the passage to the port of Castlebay. An update regarding the previously amended 1:10 p.m. service from Oban will be provided at approx. 10:00 a.m.