Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

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The Herald, once more fuelling their very own ferry fiasco on the recurring theme of ‘aging.’ The fleet he wants to replace were all built in 1986, making them only 40 years old.

Here’s what Martin and the Herald of Sinking Sales are not telling you:

There’s a problem or two here. They’re not ageing nor are they breaking down much compared to other comparable fleets.

Ageing first:

1. In terms of age, interesting in the light of media headlines here, Scotland’s ferries are the newest with an average of 22 years, with Australian ferries at 24, Norwegian at 26 and the Canadian ferries at 35! https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/strategic-framework-of-options-for-the-chfs-network-project-neptune/benchmarking/
2. 7 former and pretty elderly CalMac ferries are still running in one of the most affluent countries in Europe, Ireland. MV Eigg (1974) Clare Island Ferries MV Kilbrannan (1972) as above, renamed MV Clew Bay Queen, MVs Rhum, Canna, Coll & Morvern, (1974/1975) Arranmore Ferries. MVs Kyleakin & Kyle of Lochalsh (1970), Carrigloe crossing, County Cork. Source: You can find them all on wikipedia.
3. In British Columbia, Canada: The 47 year-old replacement ferry, the MV Queen of Alberni, is also ‘in the shop’ experiencing mechanical problems with its main engine, forcing several sailings to be cancelled: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2747831
4. In Greece: MV Orion (formerly MV Saturn, Scottish Gaelic: Satharn, and MV Orcadia) is a ro-ro passenger and vehicle ferry. Saturn was operated by Caledonian MacBrayne in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland between 1978 and 2011, for the first decade of her career on the Rothesay crossing. In 2021 she was sold to Creta Cargo Lines, Greece, renamed Orion, and towed to Perama for conversion to increase freight capacity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Orcadia

On breakdowns:

1. CalMac is operating at 95.4% average reliability with currently more than 500 sailings and not one destination with no sailings: https://www.calmac.co.uk/calmac-performance-data-browser
2. In Canada last week, three ferries breakdown in quick succession but no one blames the government: https://biv.com/article/2023/08/resilience-put-test-bc-ferries-tries-cope-high-traffic-staff-shortages-vessel
3. In Canada in July, BC Ferries cancel 1 163 sailings due to staff shortages https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2023/07/13/BC-Ferries-Cancelling-Sailings-Jobs/. CalMac pays the Living Wage: https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/5037/Caledonian-MacBrayne-named-as-the-Living-Wage-Foundations-Scottish-Champion-2016

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421