This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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MV Coruisk joins CalMac fleet
14/08/2003
West-coast residents and travellers will have access to
improved ferry services with the addition of a sheltered
water vessel, the MV Coruisk, to the CalMac fleet.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said the MV Coruisk,
which costs £7.5 million, will serve the Mallaig - Armadale
route during the summer season and the Upper Clyde routes
during the winter months.
Mr Stephen said the port and railhead at Mallaig was now
home to two of CalMac's newest vessels reflecting the ever
increasing levels of traffic carried. The new vessel, which
was officially named in a special ceremony on Skye today,
replaced the MV Lord of the Isles which had already
transferred to its new operating base in Oban.
Mr Stephen said:
"MV Coruisk is the fourth new ship launched by CalMac
during the last three years giving west-coast residents
access to improved ferry services. It marks another
milestone in the investment programme to improve our ports
and harbours as well as vessels.
"The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to
maintaining the lifeline ferry links to our more remote
island and mainland communities. A central plank of this
pledge is the delivery of a safe, efficient, affordable and
modern fleet of vessels. The introduction of this latest
vessel reinforces that commitment.
"The ferry service across the Sound of Sleat has
traditionally proved extremely popular with both islanders
and tourists and provides an alternative to the Skye
Bridge."
Funding for MV Coruisk (and MV Loch Portain) was first
announced in October 2001 by former Transport Minister
Sarah Boyack. The vessel is being financed through a Loan
from the Scottish Executive's Transport Budget.
Baroness Michie attended today's naming ceremony for the
MV Coruisk at Armadale on Skye.
The vessel will operate between Mallaig and Armadale
(Skye) during the summer and will move to the Upper Clyde
during the winter where it will be one of the ships
operating on the Gourock - Dunoon and Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
routes, as overhaul programmes dictate.
MV Coruisk was built by Appledore Shipbuilders Limited
of North Devon and will have capacity to carry 200
passengers, 40 cars and 4 HGVs. It is equipped to carry 44
tonne vehicles and to transport dangerous goods. It also
has roll-on/roll-off facilities with a side loading ramp.
Its flexibility for loading/unloading makes it a
particularly useful addition for use on the Upper
Clyde.
The introduction of MV Coruisk follows the introduction
of MV Loch Portain earlier this year and MV Loch Nevis and
MV Hebrides in 2000-2001. Funding for these 4 vessels
totals in excess of £33 million.