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Divers assess crack in hull of new Glen Sannox ferry New Glen Sannox ferry sailings set to resume after crack repair
(about 4 hours later)
The Glen Sannox has only been in operation since JanuaryThe Glen Sannox has only been in operation since January
Divers are inspecting the new Glen Sannox following the discovery of a crack in the ship's hull. The new Glen Sannox ferry is expected to resume sailings on Sunday after repairs have been completed on a crack in the ship's hull.
The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price.The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price.
All of the Glen Sannox's Saturday sailings have been cancelled while the MV Alfred will operate an additional service. CalMac confirmed the news after divers carried out a detailed assessment of the damage on Saturday.
CalMac said it would provide an update on Sunday's sailings once a dive team had carried out a full assessment. The ferry had been operating for just over two months between Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick in the Isle of Arran.
The ship had been operating for just over two months between Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick in the Isle of Arran. CalMac said MV Glen Sannox had been removed from service due to a crack on a weld seam on the vessel's hull which is close to the waterline
A CalMac spokesman said: "The dive inspection has identified a hairline crack on a weld seam on MV Glen Sannox's hull earlier today and we can confirm repairs are now underway at Brodick and expected to complete later today.
"We anticipate MV Glen Sannox to resume timetabled service on Sunday 16 March and will confirm this evening."
It added the MV Alfred would operate an extra return sailing on Saturday to provide cover and said the "vast majority" of booked customers had been able to travel.
The vessel was removed from service on Friday after a crack was found on a "weld seam close to the waterline".The vessel was removed from service on Friday after a crack was found on a "weld seam close to the waterline".
The ferry operator said reports that the boat had hit the harbour or that water was leaking into the car deck were "categorically untrue".The ferry operator said reports that the boat had hit the harbour or that water was leaking into the car deck were "categorically untrue".
However, CalMac advised that a "very small amount of water" had entered part of the rear of the ship near the steering gear.However, CalMac advised that a "very small amount of water" had entered part of the rear of the ship near the steering gear.
CalMac said MV Glen Sannox had been removed from service due to a crack on a weld seam on the vessel's hull which is close to the waterline Ewan Thomson is currently renovating a home on Arran
Additional sailings have also been added between Lochranza in Arran and Claonaig in the Kintyre peninsula. Passengers earlier expressed frustration over the postponement of Saturday sailings on the Glen Sannox, which has space for 127 cars and 852 passengers.
The operator said all passengers should have a booking prior to arriving in Troon, adding that those who had not booked could not be guaranteed travel. Ewan Thomson, who has a home on Arran, had to carry tools he was using for renovation work as a foot passenger as he was unable to book his van on the journey back to the mainland.
Divers from Shearwater Marine Services arrived at the port on Saturday morning. He told BBC Scotland News: "The Scottish government have pledged money to Ferguson Marine for the best of reasons but who in the world would buy a boat from them?
A decision about Sunday's sailings will be taken later, the operator said in a statement on its website. "I would not buy a rowing boat from them.
It added: "We apologise for the disruption, and our port teams and customer engagement centre will be working hard to contact affected customers." "They can't deliver on time, they can't deliver on budget and they can't deliver a boat that sails on the water."
The Glen Sannox has space for 127 cars and 852 passengers. Diana Turbett has lived on the island for 37 years.
She said: "I have never known such uncertainty and the fact there is a crack on a brand new boat is concerning.
"I have seen people raise concerns about the quality of the welding.
"It is very worrying."
'Never-ending nightmare'
The order for Glen Sannox and another ship were placed with the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow nearly a decade ago.The order for Glen Sannox and another ship were placed with the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow nearly a decade ago.
But disputes over the design and claims for extra costs saw the shipyard fall into administration, and then be nationalised in 2019.But disputes over the design and claims for extra costs saw the shipyard fall into administration, and then be nationalised in 2019.
The ships have ended up costing more than four times the £97m contract price.The ships have ended up costing more than four times the £97m contract price.
A Scottish government agency owns the ferries, leading to criticism of the SNP from opposition parties.A Scottish government agency owns the ferries, leading to criticism of the SNP from opposition parties.
Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber called the issue a "hammer blow" for passengers.Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber called the issue a "hammer blow" for passengers.
And Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: "This has been a never-ending nightmare for this SNP commissioned ferry contract."And Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: "This has been a never-ending nightmare for this SNP commissioned ferry contract."