MV Claymore

History
As MV Claymore in Pentland Ferries service (2008)
Denmark
Name:	MV Sia
Owner:	CT Offshore
Acquired:	March 2009
In service:	2010
Homeport:	Svendborg
Identification:	MMSI: 219013938 Call Sign:OWFI2
Status:	awaiting service
United Kingdom
Name:	MV Claymore
Owner:	December 1978 – May 1997: Caledonian MacBrayne May 1997 – 1999: Argyll & Antrim Steam Packet Co 1999 – 2002: Sea Containers October 2002 – March 2009: Pentland Ferries
Operator:	13 May 2000 – 23 June 2000: Strandfaraskip Landsins, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (on charter)
Port of registry:	Glasgow
Route:	March 1979 – 1989 Oban – Barra / Lochboisdale 1989 – 1993: Kennacraig – Islay 1997 – 2000: Campbeltown – Ballycastle October 2002 – March 2009: Gills Bay – St. Margaret's Hope
Builder:	Robb Caledon, Leith
Yard number:	522
Launched:	31 August 1978
Sponsored by:	Lady Kirkhill
In service:	1 March 1979
Identification:	IMO number: 7715434 MMSI Number: 235009221 Callsign: GYAE
General characteristics
Type:	Steel Double Screw Motor Vessel
Tonnage:	1,631 GT
Length:	230 ft (70.1 m)
Beam:	51 ft (15.5 m)
Draft:	16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion:	Mirrlees Blackstone Diesels
Speed:	15 kts
Capacity:	500 passengers, 50 cars

MV Claymore was a car and passenger ferry built in 1978 for Caledonian MacBrayne. For ten years, she operated between Oban and the Outer Isles. Between October 2002 and March 2009, she was the Pentland Ferries relief vessel on the Short Sea Crossing to Orkney. Since March 2009, she has operated, as MV Sia, a RORO cable-laying and supply vessel.

MV Claymore was built by Robb Caledon, Leith for Caledonian MacBrayne and launched on 31 August 1978. The third ferry to bear the name Claymore, she entered service between Oban and the Outer Isles.

She was out of service for the three months in 1982 after running into rocks at the entrance to Lochboisdale harbour. A collision in 1986 resulted in significant bow damage. She performed the annual Govan Shipbuilders charter with a flat plate welded across the damaged area. It was painted black with a large yellow CalMac lion to make it look less odd.

The cafeteria was refurbished in 1997 when sold to Sea Containers.

On 11 March 2003, in gale force winds, Claymore was blown away from her intended berth in St Margaret’s Hope Bay. Her starboard propeller became entangled in the moorings of smaller vessels and the 12 passengers were disembarked safely by the Longhope Lifeboat. The subsequent investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) made several recommendations to improve safety.

In March 2009 Claymore was sold to CT Offshore ApS, a Danish shipping company and moved to Svendborg. She was renamed Sia on the 29 April 2009. The new owners added 4x 600 kW auxiliary engines to supply 4 forward thrusters and 3 aft thrusters, giving dynamic positioning capability for her new cable-laying role.

Claymore is a larger half-sister to MV Pioneer, built by the same shipyard. She has four decks of accommodation including saloons, bars and cabins for 32 passengers. The ticket office is forward of the car deck. The cafeteria is above the lounge bar, reached by two sets of stairs outside the bar. The toilets are next to these stairs.

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Wikipedia