What Crew Members Say About Isle-Of-Mull

On May 19, the iconic paddle steamer 'Waverley' stepped in to assist stranded passengers after the CalMac ferry 'Isle of Mull' experienced technical difficulties. While navigating the picturesque Sound of Mull, the 'Isle of Mull' encountered a fault, leaving travelers in need of an alternative. Although the 'Loch Frisa' was on hand, its 6:40 p.m. journey could not accommodate all passengers, prompting the resourceful crew of the 'Waverley' to offer their services. A total of 42 foot passengers were safely lifted from Craignure and transported back to Oban. Fortunately, following the installation of spare parts, the 'Isle of Mull' has since resumed its scheduled service, restoring normalcy to the ferry routes.

On March 14, the ferry 'Isle of Mull' encountered technical difficulties while operating on the Oban-Castlebay-Lochboisdale route, necessitating additional investigations into the matter. Consequently, travel plans for passengers were put on alert as the service faced potential disruptions or cancellations with little notice. Specifically, on May 20, the ferry timetable was significantly altered due to these issues, leading to the cancellation of several key departures from Oban, including sailings at 07:25 a.m., 09:55 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. Additionally, the 08:45 a.m., 11:05 a.m., and 1:35 p.m. sailings from Craignure were also cancelled. Importantly, ferry operations by the 'Loch Frisa' remained stable and were not affected by these disruptions.

On March 14, the ferry 'Isle of Mull', which operates between Oban, Castlebay, and Lochboisdale, encountered a technical issue, prompting investigations into the matter. Due to this malfunction, passengers were informed that the service could experience disruptions or possible cancellations on short notice. Travelers are advised to stay updated on service availability as the situation unfolds.

On February 11, 2026, the ferry 'Isle of Mull', which operates on the Oban-Craignure route, encountered a technical problem with its starboard engine governor. As a result, several sailings were canceled on February 12. Affected departures included the 07:20 a.m., 09:50 a.m., and 12:25 p.m. from Oban, as well as the 08:40 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 01:35 p.m. sailings from Craignure. The later 03:50 p.m. departure from Oban and 05:00 p.m. service from Craignure were also subject to possible disruptions or cancellations at short notice. To alleviate the situation, the 'Loch Frisa' stepped in to provide additional services, including a 09:45 a.m. departure from Craignure arriving in Oban at 10:45 a.m., followed by an 11:05 a.m. departure from Oban arriving Craignure at 12:05 p.m. The 'Clansman' also adjusted its timetable to accommodate passengers. Fortunately, repairs on the 'Isle of Mull' were successfully completed by February 13, allowing it to resume service with the 07:20 a.m. sailing from Oban. However, the sailings remained prone to last-minute disruptions as testing of the repairs was underway.

On August 23, the passenger lift aboard the 'Isle of Mull', which operates on the Oban-Craignure route, was temporarily out of service. An engineer promptly boarded the ferry to perform necessary repairs. Nevertheless, travelers were informed that the passenger access systems at both Oban and Craignure terminals remained functional. For those needing additional assistance, it was recommended to consider traveling on the alternative ferry, 'Loch Frisa'.

On August 14th, the ferry 'Isle of Mull', which operates on the Oban-Craignure route, encountered a technical issue necessitating in-depth investigations. As a result, the planned 07:25 a.m. departure from Oban faced a delay of around 30 minutes. Passengers are advised to check for updates on sailing schedules.

On the morning of July 30, the ferry 'Isle of Mull', which operates on the Oban-Craignure route, faced a significant setback due to a malfunction in its port side main engine. The vessel needed to undergo a thorough technical examination at the quay in Oban, resulting in a postponed departure originally scheduled for 07:25. Following successful repairs, the Isle of Mull resumed loading operations; however, this disruption may lead to subsequent delays throughout the day. Despite the circumstances, passengers are encouraged to check in as usual for their scheduled sailings.

The return of the 'Isle of Mull' has faced further delays, now rescheduled due to ongoing repair work on its evacuation slides. CalMac initially aimed to have the ferry prepared for re-entry into service by June 25, after already extending the timeline from the original June 15 date. However, due to unexpected hold-ups related to the overhaul of the 'Finlaggan', the return of the 'Isle of Mull' has now been postponed to June 29. The ferry is slated to enter dry-dock in Greenock on May 24, where it will receive new marine evacuation slides. This gives the repair team five weeks to complete the necessary work ahead of the busy July season. Passengers with bookings affected by this delay will receive notifications from CalMac regarding their reservations.

On March 25, the 'Isle of Mull', which operates the crucial route connecting Oban, Lochboisdale, and Castlebay, encountered a radar malfunction. This technical issue necessitated extensive investigations to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Unfortunately, this defect resulted in a delay for the ferry's scheduled departure from Oban at 1:35 p.m. Passengers experienced an hour-long wait as the vessel eventually set sail, one hour later than planned. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by maritime operators in maintaining reliable service.

On March 21, 2025, the ferry 'Isle of Mull', operating the Oban to Colonsay route, encountered a malfunction with its Marine Evacuation System (MES) embarkation slide. This issue necessitated a temporary reduction in passenger capacity for its sailings. In light of the situation, travelers are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time to secure their spot on the popular service.