Leader queries CalMac over sailing decisions
Cullinane seems unaware of role of a vessel’s captain
A frustrated council chief trying to support his old port looks to have made a rudimentary gaffe.
Joe Cullinane has effectively questioned the authority of ferry captains bound by maritime law not to take risks.
The North Ayrshire Council leader clearly suggests Caledonian MacBrayne is to blame for increasing ferry cancelations rather than the not- fit- for purpose Ardrossan dock.
Shipping sources are “aghast” at Cullinane’s comments, with one saying: “The skippers on the Arran ferry are worldclass mariners, not bus drivers, and his words are an assault on their integrity.
“If they decide the ferry cannot get in and out of Ardrossan then that is it.
“The decision is taken on three grounds – is it safe to sail for the passengers, for the crew and is there a risk to damaging the ferry which could mean it was out of service for months.
“People within CalMac are seething about his uninformed comments. If someone dies aboard a boat as a result of a safety alert it is the captain led away in handcuffs, not the local council leader.”
Caledonian MacBrayne was not informed of Councillor Cullinane’s stance; instead he alerted the public.
The ferry company is unable to comment on the removal of the Brodick service to Troon, but has been drawn into the row.
Labour Councillor Cullinane, in post for just five months, seemed totally unaware that it is the captain’s decision powerful and, therefore, more likely to be subject to cancellation in poor weather.
“Another question I’d like answered is why are CalMac berthing vessels overnight in Brodick with the consequence that the first sailing in the morning has to be cancelled automatically?
“I think we need to know from CalMac the real reason services are diverted from Ardrossan and how that decision is made.
“North Ayrshire Council is committed to delivering a reliable ferry service for Arran residents and our plans for Ardrossan Harbour will fulfil that commitment, but we need to ensure CalMac are not making operational decisions that cause sailings to be cancelled unnecessarily.”
In April the Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf will reveal if the new Arran ferry – too big to get into Peel Ports- owned Ardrossan without massive taxpayer spend – will run from Troon.
A CalMac spokesman said: “Any decision to cancel during periods of extreme weather is done solely on the basis of the safety of our passengers, crews and vessels. We fully understand the importance of our services to island communities so that decision is never taken lightly, but we know that our communities would expect us to put their safety first.
“Refits are required annually and traditionally take place in the winter when the routes are less busy. The deployment of vessels during the winter refit period is always a challenge and we do everything we can to maintain services with the resources available to us.”