Following successful sea trials, the MV Loch Shira has returned to action today, Wednesday August 7, on the Largs to Cumbrae route.

The ferry was back in service at 12.15pm today for the first time in 124 days on one of the busiest, most frequent ferry routes on the Firth of Clyde.

CalMac alerted users this morning that the MV Loch Shira was officially returning to action after four months and two days.

 

 

However, the second supporting ferry, the MV Loch Tarbert, has had to be taken offline this afternoon due to a ramp issue.

Due to an issue impacting the ramps, the vessel will be removed from service to undergo repair work and as a result, MV Isle of Cumbrae will operate this service alongside MV Loch Shira.

 

The MV Loch Shira was withdrawn from service on Friday, April 5 because of damage to both her vehicle ramps, which CalMac has confirmed was caused by the large number of commercial vehicles using the ferry.

A routine ramp inspection identified cracks in the forward ramp hinge, and further inspections found that the damage was beyond repair, and the hinge required to be replaced to return the ramps to operational service.

Specialist parts were ordered from Poland as replacements, and the ferry was based in dry dock to complete the required structural repairs. But there was a series of delays before the ferry could take part in sea trials, which took place between Greenock and Troon over recent days.

The ferry was launched in 2006 by Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd, and has larger capacity with 36 cars and 250 passengers, and will be a valuable asset coming up, with events including the Millport Scooter Rally and September weekend celebrations if it manages to stay clear of any more technical issues.

MV Loch Shira on a summer's day in Largs  (Newsquest)