Corran Ferry Repairs Update – Tuesday 24 October

The Highland Council regrets to inform the public that MV Corran cannot resume to service as anticipated this week.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspected the MV Corran yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 Oct) and unfortunately could not issue the ‘Passenger Carrying Certificate’ required to resume service. This was due to a ‘bilge suction’ issue and this issue has since been rectified, a reinspection by MCA surveyors will take place on Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 October, which is the earliest date the surveyor can be on site, storm Babet having also affected survey work.

Following the MCA inspection there are a few additional stages required before MV Corran can resume service.

They are as follows:

• Following the MCA inspection and certification, allow 2 - 3 days to sail back to Corran, Lochaber.
• 1 day to fit ramps at Corpach.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “It is deeply disappointing that there is a further delay to the return to MV Corran due to the MCA inspection (Mon 23 October) identifying an issue with the ‘bilge suction’ that required repair. The repair has been rectified and the Council are working with the MCA to arrange a reinspection as soon as possible.  At time of writing (Tues 24 Oct) and subject MV Corran successfully being issued her ‘Passenger Carrying Certificate’, the MV Corran is now expected to resume service as soon as possible during week commencing Monday 30 October.

“I would like to thank the Council staff for their diligence and hard work throughout this challenging period. Public safety remains our primary concern, and the crew will continue to prepare the MV Corran for reinspection.”

Both the temporary foot passenger services from Corran and Fort William will continue until the MV Corran returns to service.

For Corran Ferry temporary foot passenger timetables and service updates, please follow the new Corran Ferry Facebook page and the @CorranFerry Twitter/X page. You can also find information on the Council’s Corran Ferry website.