MV Loch Frisa

MV Loch Frisa is a ferry bought by Caledonian Maritime Assets for operation by Caledonian MacBrayne to serve between Oban and Craignure.[3][2] She was originally named MV Utne and operated by Norled from 2015 to 2021.[3][2] In December 2021, following a naming competition, CMAL announced her renaming as MV Loch Frisa.[4]

MV Loch Frisa at Oban, June 2022.
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Loch Frisa
NamesakeLoch Frisa
OwnerCaledonian Maritime Assets
OperatorCaledonian MacBrayne
RouteOban - Craignure
Acquired5 October 2021
In service13 June 2022
Renamed6 June 2022[1]
StatusIn service [1]
NorwayNorway
NameMV Utne
NamesakeUtne
OperatorNorled
RouteUtne - Kvanndal
BuilderSefine Shipyard[2]
Launched2014[3]
Identification
General characteristics
Tonnage
Length49.9 m (164 ft)[3][2]
Beam14 m (46 ft)
Draught3.7 m (12 ft)
Deck clearance4.6 m (15 ft)
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h)[2]
Capacity
  • 195 passengers[3]
  • 34–40 cars[3][2]
  • 4 trucks

History

MV Utne was launched in 2014 and operated by Norled from 2015. In 2021, Norled sold her to Caledonian Maritime Assets for €6.6 million (£5.6 million),[5] as they were replacing their diesel-powered vessels with zero-emission battery-electric vessels.

Following a public vote, she was renamed to MV Loch Frisa, with the other options being Glen Forsa and Torosay.[6][4] She was modified for her new role by Dales Marine Services in Leith at a cost of £3.4 million. She was renamed in Craignure on 6 June 2022,[1] and is expected to enter service in 2022.[3][5]

There was an earlier Loch Frisa which served in Scottish waters, the MacBrayne cargo steamer SS Loch Frisa,[7] a general cargo ship which sailed under MacBrayne's houseflag in the 1950s and early 1960s.[8]

Layout

Utne is a double-ended ro-ro ferry. As she has no crew accommodation, crew are based ashore. In Norway, she had two crews and was able to operate 18 hours a day.[2]

Service

Utne was designed for service in a Norwegian fjord, and operated between Utne and Kvanndal on the Hardangerfjord, a sheltered crossing of 2.5 miles.[9]

Loch Frisa joined MV Isle of Mull on the Oban to Craignure, Isle of Mull route, replacing MV Coruisk as the second vessel. Her first public voyage, carrying four cars from Craignure to Oban, was on 13 June 2022. MV Coruisk moved back to Mallaig in summer 2022.[5][10] During 2022-23 winter overhauls, Loch Frisa operated a single vessel timetable.[11] Due to delays in the annual overhaul programme, Isle of Mull was redeployed to South Uist and Coruisk remained on the Oban - Craignure route with Loch Frisa from 26 March to 16 April and 13 to 26 May 2023.[12][13]

References
  1. Louise Glen (6 June 2022). "Launch of new CalMac ferry Loch Frisa on Oban to Mull route will be first of many for firm". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  2. Steven Tarbox (5 October 2021). "New Ferry Purchased for CalMac Scottish Island Services". NI Ferry Site. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  3. "Second-hand ferry deal to boost CalMac network". BBC News. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  4. "MV Loch Frisa". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  5. "Norwegian ferry coming to Mull". Mull & Iona Ferry Committee. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  6. "NameChosen For Latest Vessel Joining CalMac Fleet". Inverclyde Now. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  7. "Sailing Down the Clyde: Doon the Watter". Glasgow History | Achievements and Archive Photographs of this Great Scottish City. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2022. The MacBrayne cargo steamer S. S. Loch Frisa is seen heading down river bound for the Western Isles
  8. "SS Loch Frisa". Unofficial CalMac Website.
  9. "The Utne – the good, the bad and the consequences". Mull & Iona Ferry Committee. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  10. "New CalMac ferry starts working on Mull route". BBC News. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  11. "Mull: Oban - Craignure: Winter Timetable". CalMac. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  12. "Customer Update - Services to and from Mull". CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  13. "Customer Update - Latest network update, 5 May 2023". CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
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