MV Finlaggan

Well folks here she is, the MV Finlaggan Cal Macs newest ferry destined for the Islay route. She arrived in Oban this evening to begin her west coast sea trials. She should have been due for service last September but as usual delays arose.
She was built in Gdansk in Poland. I dont know any technical details about her yet but no doubt they are on Google somewhere I bet Gert will know!

I hope she doesnt have the crazy purple carpet that would have given you the DTs. Looking at the back of her she seems to have a huge lounge with panoramic views.

She cost many millions and no doubt our fares will go up to claw that money back in! Though I do think the Scottish Government have now included Islay with the RET, I may be wrong.

It was freezing cold while waiting for her but in the end worth seeing her arrive blowing her horn as she entered Oban bay and it was nice to see her with all her bunting flying

God bless all and those who sail in her! she will need it as tomorrows weather is an estimated 80 mile an hour wind and she is meant to be sailing to Colonsay, I have my doubts

The overall cost of procuring the vessel and bringing her into service will be £24.5 million and is being financed by a loan from the Scottish Government. All interest and capital repayments will be met by CMAL.
The new vessel is a modern Ro-Ro Euro Class B passenger ferry with capacity for 550 passengers and 85 cars, or the equivalent coaches and commercial vehicles. This marks a 22% increase in passenger capacity and an 11% increase in cars compared to the current provision.

The ferry will boast three passenger decks, an observation lounge, reclining seat and quiet lounge, restaurant, shop, children?s play area, two decks of external panoramic seating and two disabled lifts accessing all decks, including the outside upper deck.
Not sure about the reclining seats, when they first introduced them on the Lord of the Isles they had remote control and my kids used to sneak up on poor sleeping unsuspecting folks and just about catapult them out of the seats.

Have a good blip evening all