Working Conditions Aboard the Lord-Of-The-Isles

Title: 'Lord of the Isles' Overcomes Engine Trouble to Resume Service On April 24, the ferry 'Lord of the Isles', which operates between Oban and Craignure, experienced a main engine malfunction leading to the cancellation of its 07:25 a.m. departure from Oban and the 08:45 a.m. sailing from Craignure. Fortunately, repairs on the vessel were completed ahead of schedule, allowing the ferry to return to service. Both the 07:25 a.m. sailing from Oban and the subsequent 08:45 a.m. trip from Craignure were reinstated, albeit with a delay. The 'Lord of the Isles' began loading passengers and vehicles once again in Oban, ensuring that travel was restored for those affected by the earlier disruptions.

**Title: Service Disruption on Oban-Craignure Route Due to Engine Problems** **Content:** Passengers traveling on the Oban-Craignure ferry route faced significant disruptions recently as the 'Lord of the Isles' experienced a technical failure with its starboard side main engine. This issue necessitated a temporary shift in ferry operations, leading to the 'Isle of Mull' stepping in to facilitate essential crossings on April 7. On April 7, the 'Isle of Mull' operated the following sailings: - Departures from Oban: 07:25 a.m. and 09:55 a.m. - Departures from Craignure: 08:45 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. In the wake of the 'Lord of the Isles' mechanical troubles, the next day, April 8, saw the 'Coruisk' handling ferry services with the following schedule: - Departures from Oban at 07:00 a.m., 09:50 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 3:25 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. - Departures from Craignure at 08:25 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:50 p.m., and 7:40 p.m. Unfortunately, several sailings were canceled during this period: - Canceled departures from Oban included: 07:25 a.m., 09:55 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3:55 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. - Canceled departures from Craignure were: 08:45 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 5:05 p.m., and 7:25 p.m. The disruption affected the 'Isle of Mull', which initially left Castlebay at 06:00 a.m., earlier than previously scheduled at 06:25 a.m., and arrived at Oban by 11:35 a.m. The service adjustments continued into April 9 with the 'Coruisk' resuming the following schedule: - Departures from Oban: 07:00 a.m., 09:50 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 3:25 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. - Departures from Craignure: 08:25 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:50 p.m., and 7:40 p.m. The cancellation list remained unchanged, impacting same departures from both Oban and Craignure as detailed above. For updates on sailing schedules and potential further disruptions, passengers are encouraged to check with service operators regularly.

**Title: Service Disruption on Coll-Tiree Route Due to Engine Failure** **Content:** The maritime service operated by 'Lord of the Isles' on the Coll-Tiree route faced cancellation on March 29 and March 30 due to a persistent issue with its main engine. This ongoing technical problem has prompted CalMac, the ferry operator, to assess alternative plans to mitigate the widespread disruption affecting multiple routes. On March 31, the 'Lord of the Isles' docked at Inchgreen in Greenock for essential permanent repairs, as the company scrambled to ensure operational continuity in the subsequent week. According to a statement from CalMac, their efforts were focused on maintaining service availability over the next seven to ten days. Starting from March 31, adjustments were made to services connecting Barra, Harris, and the islands of North and South Uist. Additionally, to provide stability to the affected communities, the 'Isle of Mull' was reassigned to operate routes to Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay from March 31 until April 9. This decision aims to establish a reliable service minimum while also providing the possibility of enhancing services sooner, as some of the eight vessels currently undergoing maintenance and repairs become operational again. For more details and updates, you can view the original report [here](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mv-lord-isles-arrives-greenock-081601489.html).

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Oban - Craignure, suffered a technical issue affecting the bow thruste on Jan 21. As a consequence, the scheduled sailings were liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.

The technical issue of the 'Lord of the Isles' has been finally resolved on Jan 12, and the ship left the Garvel Drydock of the Dales Marine in Greenock at 5.45 p.m. enroute to Lochboisdale. To allow the ferry as well as the 'Isle of Mull' to be in the correct position for service on Jan 15, the following timetable was to be operated: Lord of the Isle Departure Lochboisdale 07:45 a.m. (early 08:10 a.m.) Arrival Oban 13:20 (early 1:55 p.m.) Isle of Mull Departure Oban 1:30 p.m. (early 2:40 p.m) Arrival Lochboisdale 7:15 p.m. (early 8:25 p.m.). Due to adverse weather forecast and associated sea swell, the passage time for the 1:30 p.m. sailing from Oban, operated by the 'Isle of Mull', may be longer than timetabled.

Due to a technical issue of the 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Lochboisdale, which required repairs, the service has been cancelled on Jan 2, 2026. As a replacement, the ferry 'Isle of Mull' (IMO: 8608339) was mobilised to operate the Colonsay service according to the following timetable: Thursday 8 January Departure Oban – 06:50 a.m.; Departure Coll – 10:15 a.m.; Departure Tiree – 11:50 a.m.; Departure Coll – 1:10 p.m.; Arrival Oban - 4:20 p.m.; Saturday 10 January Departure Oban – 06:00 a.m.; Departure Coll – 09:25 a.m.; Departure Tiree – 11:00 a.m.; Departure Coll – 12:20 p.m.; Departure Oban – 4:05 p.m.; Departure Tiree – 8:15 p.m.; Arrival Oban - 11:55 p.m. Sunday 11 January Departure Oban: 08:30 a.m.; Departure Coll: 11:55 a.m.; Departure Tiree: 1:30 p.m.; Departure Coll: 2:50 p.m.; Arrival Oban: 6:00 p.m. Monday 12 January Departure Oban – 06:00 a.m.; Arrival Coll – 09:10 a.m.; Departure Coll – 09:25 a.m.; Arrival Tiree – 10:30 a.m.; Departure Tiree – 11:00 a.m.; Arrival Coll – 12:05 p.m.; Departure Coll – 12:20 p.m.; Arrival Oban – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday 13 January Departure Oban – 06:50 a.m.; Arrival Coll – 10:00 a.m.; Departure Coll – 10:15 a.m.; Arrival Tiree – 11:20 a.m.; Departure Tiree – 11:50 a.m.; Arrival Coll – 12:55 p.m.; Departure Coll – 1:10 p.m.; Arrival Oban – 4:20 p.m. On Jan 4, the ferry 'Clansman' (IMO: 9158953) operated some additional sailings in order to assist with capacity: Departure Uig 11:00 a.m.; Departure Lochmaddy 1:15 p.m. The 'Lord of the Isles' was docked at the Dales Marine Services in Greenock on Jan 5 for permanent repairs. An update regarding the progress of repairs and service plans from Jan 14 was to be provided on the afternoon of Jan 9.

Due to a technical issue of the 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig, Lochboisdale, which required repairs, the service has been cancelled on Jan 2, 2026. As a replacement, the ferry 'Isle of Mull' (IMO: 8608339) was due to operate the Colonsay service on Jan 7 and Jan 8: Departure Oban – 10:10 a.m.; Arrival Colonsay 12:50 p.m.; Departure Colonsay – 1:05 p.m.; Arrival Oban – 3:35 p.m. On Jan 4, the ferry 'Clansman' (IMO: 9158953) operated the following additional sailings in order to assist with capacity: Departure Uig 11:00 a.m.; Departure Lochmaddy 1:15 p.m.

On Dec 24, the 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Lochboisdale, suffered a technical issue that required a repair. The service was thus liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. On Dec 25 and 26, with repairs still ongoing, all sailings were cancelled. The vessel resumed its service as scheduled on Dec 27 after completion of repairs. Due to another technical issue with the ferry, which required repairs, the service was cancelled again on Dec 29. Repairs awere started, and subject to successful completion, the service was expected to resume as normal on Dec 31.

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Lochboisdale, suffered a technical issue with the port side main engine on passage to Lochboisdale on Dec 11 and berthed at the Dales Marine Service in Aberdeen for repairs. As a consequence, and due to weather conditions preventing alternative vessel deployments, the service has been cancelled between Dec 13 and Dec 15. The repairs have been carried out as of Dec 15, and the vessel was conducting sea trials around the Aberdeen area.

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Oban-Lochboisdale, was experiencing an ongoing technical issue with the belting as of Sep 1. As a consequence, the vessel has been required to operate to Oban. an amended timetable was being operated by CalMac. ·

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Kennacraig-Islay, suffered a technical issue impacting the' steering system on July 23. As a consequence, the scheduled departure from Port Askaig to Kennacraig at 8.45 p.m. was delayed.

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Kennacraig-Islay, will be removed from the route from July 9-11 for essential repairs of the cylinder heads. As a result, an amended timetable will be operated during this time with the ferries 'Isle of Arran' and 'Finlaggan'. The 6 p.m. sailing from Kennacraig on July 8 will divert to Port Askaig and not Port Ellen as timetabled. The 'Lord of the Isles' will then reposition to Kennacraig at 8:30 p.m. There will be no traffic carried on this sailing. On July 12 the 'Lord of the Isles' will operate an amended timetable, while the sailings of the 'Finlaggan' will operate as scheduled.

Repairs to the 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Oban-Lochboisdale, have been successful on June 11. The vessel will depart Kennacraig and reposition to Lochboisdale, ready to pick up the service from June 12 .All sailings for that day and June 13 will now be reinstated.

On June 9, 2025, the 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Mallaig-Oban-Lochboisdale, has been removed from service until June 13, due to a mechanical damage which has caused a water ingress into a void tank and needed to be investigated. The vessel transited south to Kennacraig for repairs on June 10 and 11.