The new ferry destined for the Ardrossan to Arran service has returned to the water after dry dock repair works are completed.
The MV Glen Sannox has undergone remedial works over the course of three weeks which started last month, having had its scheduled delivery delayed til April 2022 at the earliest.
The new dual-fuel ferry had 42 tonnes of mussels removed from the hull, its bulbous bow replaced, paint repaired, and external welding completed.
Tim Hair, turnaround director at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd, said: “Following a period of uncertainty due to COVID-19, it has been really gratifying to see our team return to outdoor working on MV Glen Sannox.
“We’ve made some solid strides forward over the last few weeks on MV Glen Sannox and have slightly extended the dry dock period to take advantage of the stability of the vessel whilst stationed there to carry out some additional tasks.
“Now that the ferry has been brought up to its current condition and has returned to our shipyard, the next steps will include work on the superstructure, electrical work and the installation of approximately 16km of pipework.”
A report on the progress and impact of coronavirus on the programme for the dual fuel vessels being built at Ferguson Marine was presented to Parliament on August 25.
Economy Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, confirmed that the Glen Sannox would be completed a minimum of four years late - with it originally planned for delivery in 2018.
Due to the yard being forced to close for three months and on restricted working for at least a further three months, MV Glen Sannox is now due for delivery between April 2022 and June 2022.
COVID-19 delays have cost the project £3.3million, but won't be treated as part of the main bill instead being treated as an exceptional item. This means that the cost of the project to deliver the ferries remains at £110.3m.
The delay means the two ferries currently serving the route, MV Caledonian Isles and Isle of Arran, will be 29 and 39 years old respectively by the time they are replaced, despite having life expectancies of 25 years.
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