MV Isle of Mull

MV "Isle of Mull" is one of the larger Caledonian MacBrayne ferries operating from Oban on the west of Scotland.

History

MV "Isle of Mull" was designed for the route between Oban and Craignure on the Isle of Mull. After being launched on the Clyde in 1987, she entered service on the 11^th of April 1988, in place of the older and slower MV "Caledonia".

However the new vessel was seriously overweight – by approximately 100 tons! In late autumn 1988 she was taken out of service for two weeks and sent to Tees Dockyard Ltd in Middlesbrough to be lengthened by 5.4m (20ft). The extent of this implant can most easily be observed when climbing the stairs from the car deck to the passenger accommodation. These stairs used to be a single flight, but now have a level section halfway up. The new length of hull made the vessel better both in terms of vehicle capacity (taking it to around 80) but also in that she handled better at sea with her overall speed increased slightly.cite web| url=http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/h_isle_of_mull.asp| title=History of MV Isle of Mull| publisher=Ships of Calmac.co.uk| accessdate=2007-08-26]

In the late 1990s she underwent internal refurbishment. Her cafeteria was redecorated and the serving area modified – setting the standard for the rest of the fleet. The shop was moved to a more prominent position in the entrance concourse and she received new seating covers etc.

Layout

The totally enclosed car deck has room for up to 80 cars. Headroom on the bow and stern ramps is 4.7 metres. She is equipped with a bow visor, bow ramp and stern ramp. The two-part folding bow ramp is shaped like an inverted ‘L’. When raised, the main section plugs the access to the car deck. The forward section folds out flat upon contact with the linkspan.

Above the car deck are two levels of accommodation, providing shelter and facilities for up to 1000 passengers. The first deck houses the cafeteria at the bow, with the main entrance concourse and shop immediately aft. Behind this are lounges, toilets and the information desk, with the bar at the stern. The next deck has an observation lounge at the stern and crew accommodation further forward. External deck space stretches from the lounge to just short of the bridge on both sides. An observation lounge on the top deck has seating aft of the funnel. The large amount of open deck space is one factor that makes the "Isle of Mull" popular with tourists and locals alike.

ervice

MV "Isle of Mull" has operated the crossing between Oban and Craignure on the Isle of Mull since 1988. [cite web| url=http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/ships.asp?vessel=isle_of_mull| publisher=Ships of Calmac.co.uk| title=MV Isle of Mull| accessdate=2007-08-26] She completes the sailing in just under 40 minutes on a good day, a marked improvement on her predecessor. There is some flexibility with additional sailings provided by MV "Lord of the Isles". "Isle of Mull" also provides the link between the mainland and the island of Colonsay and has provided winter relief on a various routes.

ee also

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

Footnotes