A BRAND new Scots ferry has been taken out of service after less than two months after a crack was found in the hull.
The scandal-hit MV Glen Sannox was launched in mid-January, seven years late and four times over budget.
The crack was found near the waterline[/caption]
The ferry has been taken out of service[/caption]
The Glen Sannox is now in dry dock at Arran[/caption]
It was set to be complete by 2018 but has been one of two ships at the centre of the Ferguson Marine fiasco.
The Glen Sannox has been sailing between Troon in Ayrshire and Brodick on the Isle of Arran.
But sailings had to be cancelled after the damage was discovered close to the waterline.
A small amount of water entered the vessel near the ship’s steering gear.
The ship has been taken out of service and placed in dry dock so teams can assess the damage.
Another ferry, the MV Alfred, has had it’s capacity extended while the Glen Sannox is out of action.
A shuttle service will also be in place between Lochranza and Claonaig.
A Calmac spokesperson said:”MV Glen Sannox has been removed from service due to a crack on a weld seam on the vessel’s hull which is close to the waterline.
“This requires the support of a dive team to assess, and the earliest this could be arranged for is Saturday morning. A third-party team will attend tomorrow to carry out a full assessment.
“Following this, we will be able to provide more information on the issue and, if required, repairs and service impact.
“It does mean all MV Glen Sannox sailings on Saturday 15 March have been cancelled.
“MV Alfred’s passenger capacity has been extended effective tomorrow morning through until Monday, and she will operate an extra single sailing from Brodick to Troon this evening and an extra return trip tomorrow evening.
“We will also operate a shuttle service between Lochranza – Claonaig, and extra staff will be present at each side to support customers as we anticipate this route will be busier.”
“We apologise for the disruption, and our port teams and customer engagement centre will be working hard to contact affected customers.”
