On a daily basis, feeding the highly selective, ‘ferry fiasco‘ narrative, BBC Scotland has:
Islanders are facing yet more disruption after ferry operator CalMac announced a further delay in repairs to one of its vessels. The MV Hebridean Isles was initially expected to return to the Islay route in early June but engineers were unable to complete repairs by that time.
The delay will have a knock-on effect on CalMac’s network. In a statement, CalMac said the MV Isle of Arran would remain on the Islay route, while Ardrossan-Brodick would continue to be served by MV Caledonian Isles and MV Alfred until 27 July.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-65929982
So, disruption, knock-on effects, on the Arran service presumably?
What do the figures say?
Ardrossan to Brodick, 5 times a day – 100% on time in recent weeks.
Kennacraig to Islay, 5 times a day – 100% on time in recent weeks.
More widely, sometimes more than 500 CalMac sailings in a day – 95.4% on time, seasonal average.
Brittany channel ferries – rarely better than 90% of only 9 crossings, on time.
Sources:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/calmac-performance-data-browser?date=11%2F06%2F2023
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Sorry Prof, whatever “on time” June stat CalMac are peddling for the Ardrossan – Brodick route just aint true. Last week alone, we witnesssed the many if not mostly late comings’n’goings of the Caledonian Isles from our Brodick Bay overview window.
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Can only go on the published stats rather than anecdotes.
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Sorry Prof, here’s another sad “anecctode”: this morning’s 1105 Caledonian Isles out of Brodick had not yet berthed in Brodick at 1055…
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Made this point previously – Ferries are machines manned by humans, accidents happen, delays happen, breakdowns happen, they have since the days before steamships replaced sail when the passenger/exporter’s expectation ran between a week and a month.
If trains can be 10 minutes late WTAF is @murren59 ‘s problem ?
The ship lands when it lands
– To expect otherwise takes a particular kind of idiot – eg Craig Hoy, or the Naval expert RN-failed Bowie who couldn’t navigate the puddle he created without a man who Offord to help but all 3 have one thing in common, personal rejection by the electorate, only the latter bought his way in.
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You do realise that a ferry due to arrive at 1040 and leave at 1105 and has not even berthed will be departing at least 25 minutes late? Tough luck if you were depending on the Ardrossan Harbour – Glasgow Central train connection and / or any other fairly tight transport connections or appointments.
We all know too well of mechanical problems and weather related delays / cancellatons but this was perfect weather with no known technical isues.
Still, hey-ho, “the ship lands when it lands” so suck it up you idiot island residents and visitors.
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I know, I know, but is this as bad as the picture being painted of a ferry service across Scotland with up to 500 sailings per day and 95% on time?
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Much as I appreciate the value of local knowledge, your reply remains merely anecdotal unless you can provide evidence that the company is deliberately publishing misleading figures. Can you back up your claim with any evidence? It would add clarity to the discussion.
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James, why would I even want to do that? I have no interest in putting the Scottish Govt down as, sadly, they have proved more than capable of doing that all by themselves. I am an admirer of the Prof’s blogs and anylysis but know that that the Ardrossan – Brodick route ‘statistic of having enjoyed 100% on time success in recent weeks’ is simply incorrect. Quote that ‘statsitical fact’ to most Arranachs and you will be met with scorn. Even worse, citing TuS as a source for other more important issues lose credibility in their eyes.
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The reason the Islay ferries are running OK is because LOTI has been withdrawn from the Lochboisdale run for the whole of June. Imagine, no ferry for a month, but because it’s been withdrawn, it doesn’t appear in any statistics.
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‘Imagine, no ferry for a month?’
5 a day?
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So you’re saying a significant reduction of capacity (meaning fewer cars/lorries can travel to/from Islay) is not a disruption?
Let’s say the train you normally use has 100 seats, but is replaced by a bus replacement service with 75 seats. Oh, and you can only travel on it with a seat reservation. Would you still say there is no disruption whatsoever?
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