MV Isle of Cumbrae Back On The Cumbrae Service!

With the MV Loch Shira out of action with technical problems the MV Loch Riddon took over the mantle of the service, however her smaller capacity compared to the Shira were leaving hour long waits at either side for vehicles and passengers so to add extra capacity the MV Isle of Cumbrae was taken off her sailings between Portavadie and Tarbert and brought to Largs to assist.

The Loch Riddon was operating on the Loch Shira's timetable as the 'service' vessel with the Isle of Cumbrae providing additional sailings if and when required. Although having the Loch Riddon as the main vessel on the Cumbrae service was rare, having the Isle of Cumbrae back on her original route some 44 years after she was built for it was even rarer!

Having watched the Loch Riddon arrive and depart Largs the Isle of Cumbrae rounded the pier and berthed at the slipway shortly after boarding she sailed for her namesake island. After a short crossing where we passed Loch Riddon on her way back to Largs and a pod of dolphins we berthed at the Cumbrae Slip and shortly after unloading and loading the passengers and vehicles we set off back to Largs. On the return sailing I ventured into Isle of Cumbrae's small and limited passenger accommodation, quite the difference from the much more luxurious Loch Shira! On arrival back into Largs the Loch Riddon had cleared the berth as she was on a cleaning break to allow us to berth, once berthed at Largs I disembarked and watched the changeover of the two vessels as the Isle of Cumbrae was heading for her cleaning break and the Loch Riddon was coming back into service.

Hope you enjoy the video!

Видео MV Isle of Cumbrae Back On The Cumbrae Service! канала CW Shipping