LOCHNEVIS

Caledonian MacBrayne's Small Isles ferry LOCHNEVIS was seen as she passed Cloch Point on her way to Gourock this afternoon. LOCHNEVIS, due to be drydocked at the Garvel Drydock in the next day or two, left her base at Mallaig yesterday afternoon, and after spending a few hours respite at Craignure, continued her voyage early this morning. The last vessel to be built at the Ailsa shipyard at Troon, LOCHNEVIS joined the CalMac fleet in 2000. Her overall length is just 49.2 metres and her unique design, including an extraordinarily long stern ramp, evolved around the necessity to be able to use new slipways built at each of the four islands that she serves - Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna. She is driven by three Schottel 'rudder propellers' mounted side-by-side at her aft end. To allow her to use the slipways, they are protected by large skegs on either side. She is currently the only CalMac vessel with a bulbous bow.