Ferry Woes Continue: Glen Sannox Out of Action Again Amidst Technical Glitches and Fog
The saga of the scandal-hit MV Glen Sannox continues, with the ferry experiencing yet another technical fault that forced its withdrawal from service just hours after its return. This latest disruption, which occurred on Friday evening, has compounded the ongoing misery for islanders who rely on the crucial ferry link.
The state-owned operator, CalMac, confirmed that the MV Glen Sannox was pulled from the Isle of Arran run shortly before 6:30 pm on Friday. The reason cited was “an issue with the oil mist detector going off in the port main engine space.” This technical hiccup led to the immediate cancellation of several sailings:
- The 7:15 am sailing from Brodick to Troon on Saturday.
- The 10:20 am sailing from Troon.
- The 12:30 pm service from Brodick.
While CalMac announced around 2:00 pm on Saturday that the technical issue had been resolved, a new obstacle emerged in the form of dense fog. This weather condition rendered the vessel unable to operate its scheduled sailings for the remainder of the day, including the 3:50 pm departure from Troon and the 6:00 pm return journey from Brodick.
To mitigate the impact of the cancellations, passenger and vehicle traffic was diverted to the MV Caledonian Isles, which operates on the main Ardrossan to Brodick route. However, the fog proved to be a widespread problem, also impacting the MV Caledonian Isles’ schedule. Consequently, its 4:40 pm sailing from Brodick to Ardrossan and the 6:00 pm sailing from Ardrossan to Brodick were also cancelled.
In an effort to alleviate some of the pressure and provide alternative travel options, the MV Catriona was deployed to operate additional sailings between Lochranza on Arran and Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula.
This latest incident is particularly galling given the MV Glen Sannox’s recent history. The vessel had only just returned to service last week following a three-month absence. This extended period out of action was attributed to an extensive overhaul and necessary work to address a vibration issue. However, it appears this respite was short-lived, as the ferry has spent a significant portion of the current week out of commission.
The problems began earlier in the week when sailings on the primary Arran to Troon route were suspended on Monday due to a technical issue involving a warning light. Although the vessel resumed its service on Friday, it was promptly taken out of action again later that same day. This repeated unreliability meant that foot passengers often had to be bussed to the MV Caledonian Isles at Ardrossan to make their connections.
The ongoing operational issues with the MV Glen Sannox come against a backdrop of considerable controversy. Investigations have revealed that the ferry, which was delivered six years later than scheduled and significantly over budget, has been out of service for more than 100 days since it officially entered service just over a year ago. Further compounding the concerns, it has recently been disclosed that the ship is expected to be taken out of service for an additional three months at the end of the year. This extended downtime will be required for the installation of new propellers and other essential repairs, with an estimated cost of £3.2 million.
The MV Glen Sannox was formally handed over to CalMac last year with the express purpose of bolstering its aging fleet and providing islanders with a much-needed improvement in reliability and service. However, its performance since arriving on the West Coast in January 2025 has been far from satisfactory. In fact, the vessel has been unavailable for service on 102 out of the 383 operating days during that period.
The procurement of the MV Glen Sannox and its sister vessel, the MV Glen Rosa, for the West Coast ferry network has been a source of significant scandal for Scottish ministers. The contract for these two ships was signed in 2015 at a cost of £97 million. The MV Glen Sannox was famously launched by Nicola Sturgeon in 2017 to considerable fanfare. However, it later emerged that the vessel had been fitted with painted-on windows and only commenced service last year, highlighting substantial delays and questionable construction practices.
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Sue Webber expressed the frustration felt by many, stating, “Islanders waited years for the Glen Sannox to finally set sail, but have had to endure it constantly being sent back to the dock for repairs that will cost taxpayers millions.”
CalMac has issued an apology for the inconvenience caused to passengers by these repeated disruptions. The ongoing issues with the MV Glen Sannox raise serious questions about the procurement process, construction quality, and the long-term viability of the vessel’s service, impacting the lives and livelihoods of the island communities it is meant to serve.
