- MV Clansman
MV "Clansman" is a ferry operated by
Caledonian MacBrayne fromOban on the west coast ofScotland .History
The present MV "Clansman" is the fifth vessel to carry the name in the
Calmac fleet over the years. The most recent predecessor was the 1964 built hoist loading ferry. Launched on 27th March 1998 atAppledore Shipbuilders inNorth Devon , [cite web| url=http://www.calmac.co.uk/mv_clansman.html| title=MV Clansman| publisher=Caledonian MacBrayne| accessdate=2007-08-26] she entered service four months later. As the second largest vessel in the fleet, she brought new levels of capacity and passenger comfort to the routes. The main complaint passengers had was "Clansman's" lack of open deckspace. The design of the ship was such that exterior areas for passengers came at a premium. Calmac remedied this problem by adding an extension, above the area aft of the bar during her annual overhaul in 2003.cite web| url=http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/h_clansman.asp| title=History of Clansman (V)| publisher=Ships of Calmac.co.uk| accessdate=2007-08-26]"Clansman" has an almost identical sister ship, MV "Hebrides", built in
2000 to a similar specification.Layout
A cafeteria is situated at the bow, with an observation lounge directly above. Aft are a series of lounges, shop and bar. Above is crew accommodation and a relatively small amount of open deck space. She lacks a forward deck.
The car deck has room for approximately 90 cars. It also has a mezzanine deck on the starboard side which can be raised or lowered to allow loading of up to 10 more cars.
ervice
Specifically designed for Calmac's
Oban -Castlebay /Lochboisdale andOban -Coll /Tiree services, "Clansman" replaced MV "Lord of the Isles". At 99m in length, she is the largest vessel that can safely navigate the numerous channels on her routes. She was however too large to call at Tobermory which was dropped from the Coll/Tiree sailings on her introduction.Each winter since her introduction, "Clansman" has relieved the larger Calmac units for their annual refit, leaving the route she was built for with "Lord of the Isles". She has seen service at Lewis, Uig, Mull and Arran.
Footnotes
ee also
*
Caledonian MacBrayne fleet
* [http://calmac.co.uk Calmac website]
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