CALMAC troubles with cause

[BCram]

deep depression over Islay. If only they had listened!

[islaydarkblue]

deep depression over Islay. If only they had listened!

What is the current problem with Calmac over Islay apart from the fact that the current two Calmac ferries on the Kennacraig to Islay Route cannot sail to Port Ellen if there is a puff of wind.
Today (Monday) it allegedly could not sail to Port Ellen as the grain boat was in its preferred berth at Port Ellen Pier. Rubbish!
According to Calmac AIS Shipping the grain boat was NOT lying in the preferred berth for the Calmac ferries.
This is just an excuse to sail to Port Askaig. Calmac’s annual losses will require an even bigger bailout by the Scottish Government as pier dues will have to be paid to Argyll and Bute Council who own Port Askaig pier.
The pier at Port Ellen is owned by Scottish Government owned CMAL who have screwed up the construction of the two new Calmac ferries at Ferguson’s shipyard.

[BCram]

Islay, you won't have to suffer Mike Russell for much longer either. Can't understand why Calmac seem to be able to do whatever they like. you would have thought that the Finance Minister resigning might have given them a chance to load all of the blunders at his door and have a quick clear out to give them all a fresh start.

[islaydarkblue]

Islay, you won't have to suffer Mike Russell for much longer either. Can't understand why Calmac seem to be able to do whatever they like. you would have thought that the Finance Minister resigning might have given them a chance to load all of the blunders at his door and have a quick clear out to give them all a fresh start.

Thank goodness Michael Russell has decided not to stand again for re-election as the MSP for Argyll and Bute. He has been absolutely useless as the MSP. Michael Russell has organised two ferry summits on Islay in the past few years and they have just been ‘talking shops’ for the great and good on Islay plus people looking after their own vested interests.
Russell organised a ferry summit in September 2019 but no local residents were invited to attend. While the meeting was taking place in Bruichladdich Distillery (how convenient) I was exchanging emails between myself and Robbie Drummond Chief Executive of Calmac Ferries Limited submitting my simple solution to stop the abuse of the current block booking system by the main local haulier using the Kennacraig to Islay Route.
I have subsequently spoken to the manager of another local company who uses the Calmac block booking service and he told me that he could easily operate under my block booking system which would avoid allowing block bookings to be booked up to 12 months in advance which are then cancelled at short notice or a ‘no show’ with no financial penalty. The Scottish taxpayers are paying through the nose for these late cancellations or no shows as on some occasions a previously fully booked ferry is sailing half empty.
It was a fiddle how Scottish Government owned Calmac were awarded the latest 8 year Clyde and Hebridean ferry contract in August 2016.