Argyll Ferries

The Argyll Ferries service has suffered from cancellations due to technical problems, or limitations of the small vessels in unfavourable weather.

[2][3][4] In winter since 2016, the larger CalMac ferry MV Coruisk is redeployed to Gourock for peak sailings, and provides a relief service when conditions are too severe for the smaller boats.

CalMac branding was introduced over the following months, and Transport Scotland were to reconsider vessel and service requirements at some stage.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL)[citation needed] had previously run the Ali Cat on a 9-year lease from Isle of Wight Cruises but she was bought outright for the new service.

When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer had been held up by broken rear prop shafts.

In response to complaints from passengers, the Scottish Government cabinet secretary Alex Neil said the service was "not fit for purpose" and said he had asked the company to produce an improvement plan.

They stated that the service had been very reliable contractually, showing good punctuality, and said that passenger numbers were beginning to increase.

Argyll Flyer and Ali Cat in their then-new Argyll Ferries livery, at Gourock pierhead .
MV Clyde Clipper arriving at Gourock, on the Argyll Ferries service from Dunoon.
MV Argyll Flyer and Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry MV Coruisk on standby at Gourock Pier in February 2017 while Gourock–Dunoon sailings were suspended due to adverse weather.
February 2017; "sailings suspended due to swell conditions at Dunoon Pier , replacement buses being organised."
West Coast Motors bus; "Argyll Ferries Replacement Service" via Western Ferries .
Gourock pierhead on 8 February 2019 during Storm Erik , with Argyll Flyer and Ali Cat , still in Argyll Ferries livery, tied up next to Coruisk and the Kilcreggan ferry Chieftain , while the Rothesay ferry Bute arrives after being diverted from Wemyss Bay.
June 2019 – Argyll Flyer now in CalMac livery.
From 12 November 2019 Ali Cat was also in CalMac livery. [ 19 ]