Corran Ferry Update June 1st 2023
From Highland Council
Update June1 2023
Maid of Glencoul due back in operation at Corran Narrows
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that following the completion of repair work and successful sea trials, the Maid of Glencoul is expected to be back providing a ferry service across the Corran Narrows in Lochaber in the coming days.
Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Now the sea trials have been completed and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have issued certification the ferry will be on its way back to Lochaber shortly. On arrival, the ramps need to be recommissioned and then she will be ready to resume a vehicle and passenger ferry service.”
“I would like to thank all of our staff and interim service contractors for their work and also pay tribute to the communities who have worked with us patiently while the temporary arrangements have been in place.”
Work to repair the main vessel, the MV Corran continues. The first shipment of critical parts has arrived from the supplier Voith, based in Germany. The damage to the Crown Gear has meant that a new one must be recast. The Council is making all efforts to expedite the delivery of this part, but there are complex supply chain challenges and the MV Corran is not expected to be back in service until the end of June 2023 at the earliest.
In the meantime, the Council has arranged for mitigation measures to be put in place to support the Maid of Glencoul service. This includes temporary road signage and speed limits, a clearway order on the adjacent A82, and marshalling area staff on the ground to manage traffic. A request is also being made for all cars to be removed from the access roads and ferry queues.
The temporary foot passenger service from Ardgour to Fort William town pier will end, as will the temporary fast RIB for foot passengers at the Corran Narrows and the associated shuttle bus service that has been in place.
Cllr Ken Gowans added: “The Maid of Glencoul has less capacity for vehicles than the main vessel so we expect queues to form at peak travel times. Drivers will have assistance from the queue marshals and there is also the option to use the alternative road route around Loch Linnhe.”
Chair of the Lochaber Committee, Cllr Kate Willis added: “While we seek consideration from the public with the mitigation measures, especially in terms of the temporary speed limit, I would like to emphasise that the peninsulas and surrounding area are very much open for business and we welcome visitors to the area as usual as we enter the summer season.”
Updates on services will be provided on the Corran Ferry facebook page, twitter feed and website. The ferry office telephone number is not manned at all times.
The traffic management arrangements on site will be reviewed on a regular basis in consultation with the local communities.
ENDS
From May 2023:
Dear Members and Community Council reps,
Maid of Glencoul
The Maid suffered a failure of the drive shaft and is currently in dry dock at Bute. The parts that failed have been re-manufactured and delivery is expected tomorrow. Rebuild will take place over the course of the rest of this week, and it is hoped that this work, as well as other routine maintenance work (including replacement of the main windscreen) will be complete by 29 May 2023. Following sea trials and re-certification, it is planned for the Maid of Glencoul to be back in Service by 5 June 2023, possibly sooner.
MV Corran
Critical parts are still awaited from the supplier Voith, based in Germany. Whilst the first shipment will be with WARTSILA by the end of this week (27th May), the damage to the Crown Gear has meant that a new one must be recast, and this is not expected until later in June. The Council is making all efforts to expedite the delivery of this part, but there are supply chain challenges due to high levels of demand.
Once all the parts are in place in Glasgow, the rebuild will commence, but it is clear that due to the supply chain challenges the MV Corran will not be back in service until the end of June 2023 at the earliest. In the meantime, the MV Corran will be towed to the dry dock on Bute, so that other maintenance activity can take place whilst the parts are awaited.
A full and detailed briefing will be provided at the Steering Group meeting on Monday, with as much information circulated in advance as possible.
We will ensure you are kept abreast of progress on both vessels if there is anything to report meantime.
Best regards | Le dùrachdan
Kate
Kate Lackie
Chief Executive | Àrd-Oifigear
The Highland Council
01463 702041
07990 782197