Reviews & Ratings for the Isle-Of-Lewis

On May 15, the 'Isle of Lewis', a prominent ferry operating the Ullapool-Stornoway route, encountered exhaust issues that led to a delay in its schedule. After addressing the problem, the vessel was able to announce an additional service, with departures from Stornoway at 10:30 a.m. and Ullapool at 2:30 p.m. However, on May 16, the ferry faced a setback when a technical malfunction with the turbocharger forced a cancellation of the additional sailings previously scheduled. The 'Isle of Lewis' remained docked in Stornoway since May 17 as further repairs were completed. Fortunately, on May 18, the issue with the starboard main engine was successfully resolved, allowing for the 2:30 p.m. sailing from Ullapool to proceed at 3 p.m.

CalMac has unveiled a significant requirement for additional steelwork on its vessel, 'Isle of Lewis', prompting a review of its deployment schedules from early March through to the end of May. This decision arises after the discovery of steel wastage located atop a crucial fuel tank, necessitating repairs to secure the essential regulatory approvals for the ship’s return to service. According to the drydock operator, the anticipated timeline for this crucial work could stretch to three months, making a temporary fix impractical. Currently, fuel has been drained from the affected tank, and various equipment items—including the sewage treatment plant, ballast pumps, and fire pumps—need to be disassembled to facilitate the steel replacement. The process of removing, reinstating, and commissioning this equipment will also contribute to the extended timeframe. As a result, 'Isle of Lewis' will remain out of service for the rest of the winter season and into the beginning of the summer timetable. This overhaul overlaps with planned maintenance for other vessels in the CalMac fleet, including the 'Hebrides' (scheduled from February 27 to April 13), 'Loch Frisa' (March 16 to April 7), and 'Finlaggan' (April 20 to May 8). In contrast, the 'Caledonian Isles' has successfully resumed operations this week, providing five daily return trips between Ardrossan and Brodick. Additionally, the maintenance work on the 'Glen Sannox' is nearing completion, signaling positive progress within the fleet.

On December 16, 2023, the ferry Isle of Lewis encountered a technical difficulty with its bow ramp while navigating the Oban-Castlebay route. This malfunction led to the implementation of an altered timetable to facilitate necessary inspections by engineering teams. The revised schedule included a departure from Castlebay at 06:00 a.m., arriving in Oban at 10:45 a.m. Then, the ferry was set to leave Oban at 1:30 p.m. and return to Castlebay by 6:15 p.m. Passengers are advised to check for further updates as the situation progresses.

On December 12, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', which operates on the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered a technical issue. As a precaution, the vessel was redirected back to Oban for necessary investigations to ensure passenger safety and vessel reliability. Authorities have stated they will provide further updates regarding service resumption as more information becomes available. Travelers are advised to stay tuned for announcements related to scheduling changes.

On December 3, the ferry Isle of Lewis, which operates the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered a defect in essential life-saving equipment, leading to the cancellation of all scheduled sailings for the day. Consequently, the vessel was brought to Stornoway to undergo necessary repairs. As of December 5, repair work was actively in progress, with the next update anticipated around 11:00 a.m. This situation highlights the ongoing commitment to safety and operational efficiency in maritime transport.

On December 2, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', which operates on the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered an unexpected issue when debris obstructed its bow thruster. This complication led to a delay for the ferry's scheduled departure from Oban, originally set for 1 p.m. In light of the situation, divers were called in to assess and resolve the obstruction. Passengers were advised to check in as per the normal procedures while the crew worked to ensure safety and readiness for departure. Following the removal of the debris, the 'Isle of Lewis' successfully set sail from Oban at 1:35 p.m., with an estimated arrival time in Castlebay around 6:20 p.m. This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and the swift action of maritime crews in addressing operational challenges.

The 'Isle of Lewis', which operates the Ullapool-Stornoway route, has successfully completed repairs on its car deck ventilation system. As of November 17, the ferry reinstated its full vehicle capacity, beginning with the 07:00 a.m. departure from Stornoway. To accommodate extra demand prior to these repairs, the ferry had been providing additional sailings, leaving Stornoway at 07:00 a.m. and departing Ullapool at 10:45 a.m. until November 16.

The Isle of Lewis ferry, which operates on the Ullapool-Stornoway route, is currently facing operational challenges due to a fault in its car deck ventilation system. As a result, the vessel is limited to carrying only 30 cars and is unable to transport HGVs, LGVs, livestock, electric vehicles, or hazardous materials until necessary repairs are completed. Foot passengers can still travel without restrictions. To address the increase in demand for capacity, the Isle of Lewis will provide extra sailings until November 16. Departure times are set for Stornoway at 07:00 a.m. and Ullapool at 10:45 a.m., ensuring that travelers have more options during this period of operational adjustment.

Passengers aboard the 'Isle of Lewis' ferry experienced significant travel restrictions following a malfunction in the car deck's ventilation system. As a result, all sailings through 2:30 p.m. on November 10 departing from Stornoway were converted to passenger-only services. The situation was exacerbated when a new issue was detected with the recently installed fan. Initially, it was reported that the Ullapool-Stornoway route could accommodate a limited number of vehicles, specifically up to 30 cars, for the 10:45 a.m. sailing on November 11, post partial repairs. However, restrictions remained in place, preventing the transport of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs), livestock, electric cars, and any hazardous materials until comprehensive repairs have been completed. Fortunately, foot passengers faced no travel limitations, and non-electric bicycles were permitted on board. Due to these ongoing technical challenges, the ferry experienced delays during evening operations, impacting schedules for travelers. For further updates, visit https://calm.ac/25.

On October 26, 2023, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis,' which operates between Ullapool and Stornoway, experienced a significant delay due to a vehicle issue while docked in Ullapool. After resolving the situation and clearing the car deck, the ferry was able to set sail at 6:40 p.m. This departure was 40 minutes later than the original schedule. Passengers onboard can now expect to arrive in Stornoway by 9:40 p.m.

A medical emergency on board the 'Isle of Lewis' resulted in significant delays on October 20, impacting its service on the Ullapool to Stornoway route. Originally scheduled to depart at 6:15 p.m., the ferry was held in Ullapool while authorities addressed the situation, leading to a delayed departure of 7:38 p.m. This marked a delay of approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes. Passengers were informed that the revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) in Stornoway was set for 10:38 p.m.

On September 29, 2023, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', operating on the Oban-Castlebay route, experienced a malfunction with its ramp that necessitated additional inspections. As a result, the scheduled departure from Oban was postponed, initially set for 1:10 p.m. Following the successful resolution of the technical issue, the vessel resumed operations and began loading for its journey.

On September 9, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', which operates the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered a technical issue that necessitated further examination. This complication resulted in a delay for the vessel’s planned departure from Castlebay at 06:55 a.m. After effective troubleshooting, the ferry resumed its service, finally departing at 07:55 a.m., one hour behind schedule. The expected arrival time at the port of Oban is now set for 12:40 p.m. Nevertheless, the subsequent departure from Oban at 1:10 p.m. is anticipated to proceed as originally planned.

On August 19, the ferry 'Isle of Lewis', while operating on the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered a technical failure with its bow visor in Oban harbor. This unexpected issue resulted in the postponement of its scheduled departure at 1:10 p.m. After swift maintenance efforts, the ferry was back in action, successfully departing from Oban at 2:00 p.m., ensuring passengers could continue their journey to Castlebay.

On August 15, the 'Isle of Lewis', operating between Oban and Castlebay, encountered a technical malfunction involving its ramp, along with concerns regarding a potentially fouled propeller. These issues necessitated additional inspections and consequently affected the vessel's schedule, leading to a departure from Castlebay at 5:30 a.m. and an adjusted arrival at Oban at 10:15 a.m. Maritime authorities are currently assessing both complications to ensure safe operations moving forward.

Passengers on the Oban-Castlebay ferry route experienced notable delays on June 11, 2023, when the 'Isle of Lewis' (IMO: 9199258) encountered a technical issue prior to its scheduled 1:10 p.m. departure from Oban. The unforeseen circumstances prompted an immediate investigation and repair efforts. After a thorough maintenance session, the vessel successfully set sail from Oban at 5:50 p.m. To accommodate affected travelers, the 'Loch Alainn' adjusted its schedule, delaying subsequent sailings. The new departure times included the Barra route, now set for 11:15 p.m. (originally at 7:20 p.m.), and the Eriskay route, now departing at 1:05 a.m. instead of its scheduled 8:15 p.m. departure.

The 'Isle of Lewis', a key ferry operating on the Oban-Castlebay route, encountered significant engine troubles affecting its port side main engine on May 18, 2023. This issue caused the ferry's planned departure from Oban at 12:40 PM to be delayed, ultimately leading to a complete cancellation of the service. To facilitate necessary repairs and contractor access, the vessel was redirected to Stornoway later that evening, arriving there on the morning of May 19. As of May 20, the ferry service remained suspended. However, after completing essential repairs, the 'Isle of Lewis' is projected to resume service on May 21, with plans for a delayed sailing from Stornoway.

On April 9, the 'Isle of Lewis', operating the route between Oban and Castlebay, faced an urgent medical situation on board in the early morning hours. This unforeseen circumstance led to the cancellation of the scheduled 06:55 a.m. sailing, prompting the vessel to return to Castlebay. As a result, the Isle of Lewis was unable to make its planned stop at Craignure during its journey back to Castlebay. An update regarding the revised 1:10 p.m. sailing from Oban is expected to be released around 10:00 a.m.