MV Hebridean Isles
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | MV Hebridean Isles |
| Owner: | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
| Operator: | Caledonian MacBrayne |
| Route: | Kennacraig - Islay |
| Builder: | Cochrane Shipbuilders Ltd., Selby |
| Launched: |
|
| Maiden voyage: | 5 December 1985 |
| Identification: |
|
| Status: | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 3040 |
| Length: | 85.15 m |
| Beam: | 15.8 m |
| Draft: | 3.11 m |
| Speed: | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) (service) |
| Capacity: | 507, 68 cars |
| Crew: | 24 |
| Notes: | |
MV Hebridean Isles is a ro-ro vehicle ferry owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the west coast of Scotland. She was the first MacBrayne vessel to be built outside Scotland and the first to be launched sideways. With bow, stern and side ramps, Hebridean Isles is suitable for all the routes served by the large fleet units. After 15 years crossing the Little Minch on the Uig triangle, she now serves Islay.
MV Hebridean Isles ("Heb Isles" a nickname used amongst crew and passengers alike) was constructed at Cochrane’s yard in Selby and launched sideways into the Ouse in 1985. She was the first MacBrayne vessel to be built outside Scotland, the first to be launched sideways and the first to be launched by royalty - HRH the Duchess of Kent.
Broadly similar to the MV Isle of Arran she was designed to be suitable for use anywhere within the network, although intended for the Uig triangle. Following her delivery voyage, she conducted trials at various ports around the network and did not take up duties at Uig, Skye until spring 1986. MV Columba, the winter relief ship continued there while construction works were carried out at the various piers. New linkspans were required at all three terminals. The new ferry found temporary employment as a winter relief vessel at Ullapool and Oban, where she stood in for the MV Caledonia and MV Glen Sannox. Even when she took over at Uig, she still had to use her hoist at the Skye terminal for eight months while the new berth at the end of the long pier was finished.
She brought vastly improved standards of passenger comfort and became popular, with slightly reduced sailing times and, once she was able to use her bow and stern ramps, greatly reduced turn-round times.
...
Wikipedia