Caledonian MacBrayne - mv Isle of Lewis

[Clydebuilt1971]

As you will have gathered I am a very big fan of Caledonian MacBrayne and their fleet of vessels serving the Clyde and Western Isles of Scotland lifeline ferry routes.

I would like to share some information and (in subsequent posts) photos of one of their largest vessels - mv Isle of Lewis.
Up until the introduction of German built mv Loch Seaforth the Clydebuilt Isle of Lewis was the largest ship in the fleet:

DETAILS
Type: Steel Motor Vessel
Callsign: MVNP4
IMO: 9085974 / MMSI: 232002521
Launched: 18th April 1995 / Completed: 26th July 1995 / Entered Service: 31st July 1995
Ordered By: Caledonian MacBrayne (now owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets on behalf of the Scottish Government)
Registered: Glasgow
Launched by: HRH Princess Alexandra
Named after: The most northerly island of the Outer Hebrides.
 
DIMENSIONS
Tonnage: 6,753 GT
Length: 101.25 metres (332.2 ft)
Beam: 18.52 metres (60.8 ft)
Draught: 4.19 metres (13.7 ft)
 
TECHNICAL
Builders: Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd, Port Glasgow
Yard No: 608
Engine Builders: Mirrlees Blackstone Ltd, Stockport
Machinery: 2 x Mirrlees Blackstone K6 Major main engines running on marine diesel oil driving twin screws via 2 x Ulstein 1500 AGSC gearboxes.
Bow Thruster: 2 x Electric
Speed: 18 knots (20.7mph)
Hoist & Lifts: Mezzanine decks which operated by a system of wire pulleys, which are electrically controlled. These can be altered up or down depending on how many vehicles the operator wishes to carry. 

CAPACITIES
Passengers: 680
Cars: 123
Crew: 32
Lifeboats (Number of): 2

ROUTE SUMMARY
2017 - Present: Oban - Castlebay
1995 - 2016: Ullapool - Stornoway Freight & Relief
1995 - 2016: Ullapool - Stornoway

[Clydebuilt1971]

Hopefully this wont bore you all but hey in for a penny in for a pound as they say!!

One of my good friends is currently serving as Chief Officer on Isle of Lewis and on Sunday 28th Jan this year I was privileged to be offered the opportunity to visit the ship whilst she was undergoing her annual overhaul in Garvel Drydock, Greenock. This included significant interior upgrades and (more importantly) the replacement of her four generator sets which were becoming increasingly troublesome!

This and the following posts give a wee idea what the big girl is like!

(1) Drone shot (John Huggins) of the ship lining up on the staging to enter the drydock.
(2) Drone shot (John Huggins) of her mid way in. Dock mate is mv Loch Shira (Ferguson Shipbuilders 2006) which is the current Largs - Cumbrae ferry. The stone tower in the shot is the accumulator tower for the dock pumps.
(3) View of the starboard bow taken from the dockside by Chief Officer Jim Christie. Her fine entry (require to achieve the service speed) is apparent here.
(4) The business end - twin CPP and Becker rudders (Jim Christie)
(5) "Burn yer way in - Weld yer way oot!" - Holes were cut on both sides of the ships hull to facilitate removal of the old and installation of the new generator sets. (Jim Christie)
(6) Photo of the port side propeller taken by myself from underneath the ship.

A couple more to follow........

[Clydebuilt1971]

From previous post:

(7) A view of the starboard fwd end of the ship - this shows the unusual profile of the hull at this end. The turn in the hull where it widens to full width causes her to "slam" in big swells as she rises and falls. The result of this is her hull frames in this area (whilst strengthened) need attention at every overhaul.
(8 ) An unusual feature for this age of vessel (I am told) is electrically driven reciprocating fire / bilge pumps. This is one of two fitted to the Isle of Lewis. I assume the reason for this type would be due to the dual blige / fire pump duty - delivering a vast volume of water at a high(ish) pressure - whereas a centrifugal pump can shift high volumes but a lower pressure- but stand corrected if I am wrong!!
(9) Famous Scottish name on the builders plate - thankfully still in existence although now based in Glenrothes.
(10) A general view of the car deck taken from the forward car ramp. This shows the ship's mezzanine car decks and the offset centre island (not sure why this is). It is not apparent here but she actually has some sheer!!!!
(11) The ship's bow visor - which closes over the car ramp. The most recent newbuilds have clamshell style bow doors which aid vision when berthing no end!!
(12) Mariner's Cafeteria - the size of the vessel is more apparent here.

[Clydebuilt1971]

Finally.....

(13) View from the starboard bridge wing.
(14) View from the starboard bridge wing showing Loch Shira ahead and the horrible weather that day!!!
(15) Looking at Loch Shira through the fwd car ramp inspection hatch - the worker who was working on the other side scared the s**t outa me by popping up just after this photo was taken!! 
(16) No ship is complete without one - her bell!!!

Hope there was something of interest - the engineer in me loves this kinda stuff!!

Cheers

Gav

[June Ingram]

Hi Gav -

Thanks very much for all of the information and photos.  It is fascinating to read about MV Isle of Lewis and to see all the photos.  It must have been great to have the opportunity to visit her while all of this work is going on.  There are some ferries from New London to Long Island who have offset center islands. 

June   

[Thomas Hypher]

Hi Gav -

Thanks very much for all of the information and photos.  It is fascinating to read about MV Isle of Lewis and to see all the photos.  It must have been great to have the opportunity to visit her while all of this work is going on.  There are some ferries from New London to Long Island who have offset center islands. 

June   

Offset islands like the Sandbanks Ferry just down the road from me?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbanks_Ferry

Great photos and information Gav! Shows that having a passion for ships doesn't just have to revolve around ocean liners  (partial to warships myself - for example!).