The ferry operator's maintenance budget is soaring as it struggles to maintain its limited fleet.
Dales Marine dry dock in Greenock is a hive of activity. The Arran ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, sits high and dry, balanced on blocks.The ship's bow doors gape open. Sparks fly, as welders work on the vast steel structure.CalMac has just two weeks to carry out this annual service. Then the vessel is needed back at sea, returning to work on the Arran to Ardrossan run.For a start, the ship's huge engines need a service.
"The average age of the fleet is now 24 years - 38% of our fleet is now over 30 years old," he said. "The general life expectancy of vessels is 25-30 years. "We have to try to source the spares. They're not being produced any more. If we do need new spares, we need to get them specially made for us.Richard Colley says the Caledonian Isles is "a very old lady now"
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