Another Calmac fiasco

[jdfc]

Get the Navy in then

[islaydarkblue]

Get the Navy in then

The navy ships would run aground prior to reaching pier at Kennacraig. They would also have to be less than 90 metres long otherwise they would not be able to berth at the piers at Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay plus the pier at Kennacraig.
Today it has been announced that two new ferries are going to be built for the Kennacraig to Islay route. What this CMAL press release failed to mention is that the new ferries are too long, too wide and too deep to berth at any of the piers used on the Kennacraig to Islay route plus sailings to Colonsay. This will result in £16.4 Million (2021 prices) having to be spent to alter the piers to be able to allow the new ferries to safely berth at the piers. Who is paying for this. The taxpayer of course.
When will this work be carried out. The work at the piers will probably be finished years after the new Islay ferries are built and ready to go into service.
The maximum passenger capacity on the new ferries is to be 350 passengers which is 200 less than the main ferry on the route the MV Finlaggan.(Source 2nd Islay virtual ferry meeting). The CMAL and Calmac bosses do not think this will be a problem but if more visitors decide to travel to Islay as foot passengers instead of taking their car there is a danger that foot passengers including local Islay residents could be told that their ferry is full and they will have to wait for the next ferry assuming that it is not the last sailing of the day.