Chieftain in CalMac livery at Gourock, 2021
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Seabus
OwnerClyde Marine Services
OperatorCaledonian MacBrayne
Port of registryGreenock
RouteGourock – Kilcreggan ferry
BuilderVoyager Boatyard, Millbrook, near Plymouth[1]
Christened30 March 2007 at Kilcreggan Pier.
Maiden voyage1 April 2007
Identification
Notesdesigned by Jonathan Graham CEng MRINA
General characteristics
Tonnage60 GT
Length19.5 m (64.0 ft)[2]
Beam6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Installed power2x 180 hp Gardner diesel engines[2]
Speed10.2 (max) / 8.6 knots
Capacity100 passengers
Seabus in SPT livery at the Kilcreggan Steps, Gourock.
Seabus passengers disembark in April 2007

MV Chieftain, ex-Seabus, is a passenger ferry built in 2007 for Clyde Marine Services to run the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) Gourock to Kilcreggan service on the Firth of Clyde.

From 2012 to 2018 the service was run by Clydelink with a smaller boat, while Seabus carried out cruises or other work and was renamed Chieftain.

After dissatisfaction with Clydelink, the contract went in May 2018 to Clyde Marine, and Chieftain returned to the Kilcreggan service. In June 2020 CalMac took over managing the service from SPT, leasing Chieftain which in 2021 was repainted in CalMac livery.

History

MV Seabus was built in Cornwall, in 2007, as a 'dedicated' passenger ferry to replace the 71-year-old MV Kenilworth on the service between Gourock, Kilcreggan and Helensburgh, across the Firth of Clyde (Tail of the Bank).[1] Owned by Clyde Marine, Seabus operated the main ferry service to Kicreggan, with crossings of Gare Loch to Helensburgh, for the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) who subsidised the route, and was painted in the STP carmine and cream livery.

On re-tendering, the Helensburgh part of the then 'triangular' route ceased and the contract for the Gourock - Kilcreggan service was awarded to Clydelink. To operate the route, Clydelink bought the smaller MV Island Princess from Lymington, which had been a harbour excursion vessel, and commenced service on 1 April 2012.[3] The change was unpopular with a loss of jobs.[4]

The hull of Seabus was painted dark blue to match Clyde Marine livery, then in 2014 it was renamed Chieftain. [5] It carried out work for hire in the Highlands, including parts of the Caledonian Canal, and on the Firth of Forth.[6]

Clydelink were unreliable. Their contract was terminated early and the work awarded to Clyde Marine,[7] who resumed the Gourock to Kilcreggan ferry service on 14 May 2018 with Chieftain.[8] After negotiations, CalMac took over the contract from 1 June 2020, leasing Chieftain from Clyde Marine and giving crew the option of transferring to the new operator.[9]

Layout

Chieftain in Clyde Marine livery, with improved seating on the top deck, back on the route in May 2018.

MV Seabus brought a greater degree of comfort and safety to the route with a sealed and heated passenger cabin. Larger, roomier and more comfortable than her predecessor, she has better facilities for people with mobility problems.[1]

Service

References

  1. 1 2 3 "End of an era on the Clyde ferry scene". Shipping Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  2. 1 2 "New vessel sets sail on the Gourock-Kilcreggan-Helensburgh service". SPT. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "Argyll News: Inaugural Clydelink Kilcreggan to Gourock ferry service". For Argyll. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Ferry fears spark protest at historic Kilcreggan Pier". BBC News. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Seabus". Ship Photos. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  6. ↑ "Gourock - Kilcreggan". Ships of CalMac. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "All tickets please (9)". CRSC : Clyde River Steamer Club. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "IN Pictures -- First Day Of Ferry Route's New Operator". Inverclyde Now: Shipping News. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "June date for CalMac to take over Kilcreggan ferry". The Lochside Press. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
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