MV Isle of Lewis

MV "Isle of Lewis" is a ferry operated between Ullapool and Stornoway by Caledonian MacBrayne. She is currently their only ship over 100 metres in length.

History

MV "Isle of Lewis" was built at Ferguson Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow on the Clyde and entered service in 1995. Her crossing time was very impressive – around 2 hours and 45 minutes - at least 45 minutes off the duration of her predecessor, MV "Suilven".

With ever increasing traffic on the crossing, there have been a number of rumours in recent years that she will be replaced by an even larger vessel. Currently a chartered freight vessel, MV "Muirneag" is relieving pressure.

Layout

MV "Isle of Lewis" is a further development of the MV "Isle of Mull" and MV "Caledonian Isles"' design with a fully enclosed car deck. There are three lanes to port and two to starboard of the central casing. A mezzanine deck along each side can be raised or lowered according to traffic requirements. Two stairways from the car deck bring passengers out in the entrance square on deck 4, where the passenger gangways enter.cite web| url=http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/h_isle_of_lewis.asp| title=MV "Isle of Lewis"| publisher=Ships of Calmac.co.uk| accessdate=2007-08-29]

The entrance square houses the information desk. Forward is a massive cafeteria overlooking the bow and occupying the full width of the ship. Aft are a designated dog area and a truckers' quiet lounge, with the reclining lounge and bar at the stern. Deck 5 houses the observation lounge at the bow, crew accommodation further aft and an open promenade deck stretching down both sides of the ship. Four stairways lead up to the open top deck, providing copious amounts of seating for those passengers either taking advantage of the summer sun, or more often for those brave souls taking on the Atlantic gales.

ervice

MV "Isle of Lewis" has hardly sailed on any routes other than her own from Ullapool in Ross-shire to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. She has to endure some treacherous seas crossing The Minch, which is one of the most exposed areas around the British Isles.

ee also

*Caledonian MacBrayne fleet
* [http://www.calmac.co.uk Calmac website]

Footnotes