If you're catching a ferry this summer you can be rest assured that a new A-Team will be on hand to make sure it is a plain sailing.
In a bid to cope with ageing ferries and increased sailings, ferry operator CalMac has hired a new Mobile Maintenance Team as part of its ongoing plan to maintain high levels of customer service.
The seven-strong team comprises electrical and mechanical engineers, along with hydraulic specialists.
They will be tasked with carrying out planned maintenance to vessels in-service as well as being called upon to offer immediate support to on-board engineers who face any technical issues.
Last year CalMac’s 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles across 26 islands and remote mainland locations in some of western Europe’s most inhospitable waters, that's more than 130,000 sailings last year.
CalMac’s Managing Director, Robbie Drummond said: "The team will carry out specialised inspections, monitoring and proactive maintenance, working closely with the on-board engineering and vessel management teams to proactively identify and resolve technical issues.
"The aim is to minimise service disruptions due to avoidable technical issues and reduce the routine maintenance that would normally take place during annual overhaul.
"With our vessels setting sail around 360 times every day, this team has the mobility required to complete planned maintenance when and where it is needed on the network minimising disruption to service due to technical issues.
