MV Loch Fyne
 MV Loch Fyne approaching Fishnish | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | MV Loch Fyne |
| Owner: | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
| Operator: | Caledonian MacBrayne |
| Port of registry: | Glasgow |
| Route: |
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| Builder: | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow |
| Yard number: | 602 |
| Launched: | 12 June 1991 |
| In service: | 2 August 1991 |
| Identification: |
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| Status: | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | |
| Length: | 54.2 m; 73.8 m (242.1 ft) overall[2] |
| Beam: | 13.4 m (44.0 ft)[2] |
| Draught: | 1.6 m |
| Speed: | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Capacity: | 250 passengers and 36 cars |
| Crew: | 4 |
| Notes: | [3][4][5] |
MV Loch Fyne is a Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry, owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, built in 1991 for the Isle of Skye crossing and now operating on the Lochaline to Fishnish route across the Sound of Mull in western Scotland.
History
Loch Fyne entered service at Kyle of Lochalsh on 12 September 1991, replacing the last of the old ferries, MV Kyleakin. Even at this time, it was known that the Skye Bridge was coming. On 16 October 1995, Loch Fyne and MV Loch Dunvegan, dressed with flags, gave the last ever car ferry runs across this narrow stretch of water. Loch Fyne was laid up in James Watt Dock at Greenock for two years. No sale was completed and in 1997, CalMac prepared them for service once more. First Loch Dunvegan, then, on 27 September 1997, Loch Fyne went to relieve the new MV Loch Alainn, which had suffered a major breakdown at Lochaline on the Sound of Mull. Loch Fyne proved successful and become the permanent vessel on Mull's secondary crossing, having sufficient capacity to cope with all but the busiest days there.[6] There was an earlier 1950s MacBrayne's motor vessel of the same name, which was last seen as an accommodation ship in Bristol Floating Harbour in the 2000s.
Layout
Loch Fyne is a twin sister to MV Loch Dunvegan, both built for the Skye route. Passenger accommodation along the starboard side of the hull can cater for up to 250 persons, with lounges on two levels and an open deck above. The high sided design is prone to being caught by the wind. She initially had very wide ramps at both ends. These were first lengthened, to reduce the risk of long vehicles grounding, and later reduced in width and weight.[6]
Service
Loch Fyne and MV Loch Dunvegan provided a 24-hour service between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin on Skye until 1995. Since 1997, Loch Fyne has been the regular vessel on the Lochaline to Fishnish route. At times, she has replaced MV Coruisk on the Mallaig to Armadale crossing.
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Footnotes
- ↑ "Ship and Platform Names". National Centers for Environmental Prediction/NOAA. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- 1 2 3 "9006411". Miramar Ship Index. (subscription required (help)).
- ↑ "MV Loch Fyne". CalMac. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ↑ "Loch Fyne". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ↑ "Loch Fyne". Clydebuilt Database. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- 1 2 "History of Loch Fyne". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 2008-10-15.