Question reference: S4W-27343
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 7 September 2015
-
Current status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many cancellations there have been on Caledonian MacBrayne's (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay route in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.
Answer
The following tables detail the number of sailings cancelled on CalMac Ferries Ltd’s (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay routes so far in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with the same period in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.
|
Kennacraig to Islay |
January to August each year |
|
Cancelled sailing |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total |
|
Adverse weather |
8 |
41 |
37 |
73 |
159 |
|
Mechanical problems (ship) |
12 |
19 |
64 |
23 |
118 |
|
Vessel redeployed |
10 |
|
29 |
10 |
39 |
|
Substitute vessel (annual overhaul) |
|
|
|
18 |
18 |
|
Industrial dispute |
|
|
|
15 |
15 |
|
Ship involved in emergency |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
All others |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Ship out of position |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Cancelled sailing total |
30 |
62 |
130 |
141 |
363 |
|
Cancelled after relief events |
12 |
6 |
30 |
29 |
77 |
|
Scheduled sailings |
1773 |
1852 |
1872 |
1885 |
7382 |
|
% Cancelled |
1.69% |
3.35% |
6.94% |
7.48% |
4.92% |
|
% Cancelled after relief events |
0.68% |
0.32% |
1.60% |
1.54% |
1.04% |
|
Oban to Colonsay |
January to August each year |
|
Cancelled sailing |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total |
|
Adverse weather |
6 |
15 |
14 |
18 |
53 |
|
Industrial dispute |
|
|
|
4 |
4 |
|
Mechanical problems (ship) |
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
|
Medical emergency |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
Cancelled sailing total |
6 |
17 |
14 |
25 |
62 |
|
Cancelled after relief events |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Scheduled sailings |
256 |
255 |
256 |
257 |
1024 |
|
% Cancelled |
2.34% |
6.67% |
5.47% |
9.73% |
6.05% |
|
% Cancelled after relief events |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
2.72% |
0.68% |
Under the terms of the public services contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac Ferries Limited, performance deductions are imposed when scheduled sailings are cancelled or delayed, when not covered by relief events. Late arrivals and departures, due to adverse weather are classed as relief events.
The Merchant Shipping (Master’s Discretion) Regulations 1997 gives the master of any ship sole responsibility for deciding whether in his or her professional judgement it is safe to sail. It is a criminal offence for the owner, charterer or manager of a ship, i.e. CalMac Ferries Limited, or any other person to prevent or restrict the master from exercising that judgement.