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Major repairs to the main ferry on CalMac’s busiest route will take a further two months, the company has confirmed.

The MV Caledonian Isles, which normally serves the island, was expected to be out of action until June, but the ferry operator has said repairs will now take until the end of August.

The 31-year-old ship is currently in Birkenhead, where the engines have been removed as part of the overhaul.

CalMac said the repairs are "highly complex" given the "vessel's age and condition".

CalMac’s interim chief executive Duncan Mackison said they had been told in the last week that the scope of repairs will take significantly longer than anticipated.

“We know this news is disappointing, particularly for people on Arran, which is normally served by the vessel," he said.

“The scope of work provided in February was indicative and subject to change based on a full analysis of the vessel’s repair needs.

"The nature of the vessel’s structure is such that this analysis has been ongoing alongside repairs. This is a highly complex repair effort where we have to be mindful of the vessel’s age and condition."

Mr Mackison said they had "exhausted every possible avenue to avoid removing the engines," but it became the only option.

As part of the repairs the vessel's auxiliary engines and their bedplates have been removed to allow engineers access to the "double bottom water ballast tank tops".

The double bottom of the ship is a safety feature to avoid ingress of water in case of grounding or collision.

The steel around the engines will also be renewed.

He said the "aim is to get the vessel back into service as quickly as possible" and the ferry operator will continue to liaise with the Arran Ferry Committee and other stakeholders during the process.

On , a spokesperson for the Arran Ferry Committee (AFC), which is made up of business and community representatives from the island, confirmed CalMac had shared the repair plan with them.

The spokesperson said: "These continued works which mean she will not return until sometime late August.

"Unfortunately, no-one from the Operations side was in attendance to advise how they will address this capacity issue over the summer season. Contingency has therefore not been decided at this stage and AFC will be pushing all agencies (CalMac and Transport Scotland) for additional capacity."

The route is currently being served by the MV Isle of Arran, which sails from Ardrossan, and the MV Alfred, which sails from Troon.

'Hammer blow'

A new ferry for the Arran route, MV Glen Sannox, was due to enter service this summer but the Ferguson shipyard last week confirmed a delay after problems sourcing equipment for its dual-fuel propulsion system.

The expectation is that it will be July or August before Glen Sannox is carrying passengers on the route.

Scottish Conservative West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said this is "yet another hammer blow" to the residents of Arran.

He said: “The fact that the Caledonian Isles will be out of action until August – coupled with the recent confirmation of further delays to Glen Sannox entering service – means islanders face yet another summer season at the mercy of an ageing, decrepit fleet.

“The impact this is having on tourism, the wider island economy and the quality of life of Arran residents is devastating."