[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.

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.

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] MV Seabus brought a greater degree of comfort and safety to the route with a sealed and heated passenger cabin.