Isle of Arran's first passenger sailing to Brodick new pier.

[@scottsmith9254]

two ferries berth overnight at brodick new pier there are strong south westerley winds.

[@scottbraid443]

Excellent video if the MV Saturn was still with Calmac it would have been interesting to see her useing the new Brodick pier and also the new gangway .

[@CalMacandWaverleyEnthusiast]

I would love to see Saturn at the new pier. It’s still possible but it’s very unlikely. She will probably never carry passengers to Brodick again but she could just tie up. Still very unlikely.

[@scottbraid443]

You could always paint a picture of her at the new pier.

[@__-lf6ri]

That might happen. www.arranbanner.co.uk/tag/mv-saturn/

[@paulheenan9098]

Due to the Clansman's mishap, she is having to jump between serving Arran and Islay (I'm assuming switching weekly) until at least June. Not the first time Clansman has caused summer mayhem on the network. This is also more than likely the last time that we will see her if she doesn't find a new owner considering her elderly age and the numerous mechanical issues that she's plagued with.

[@CalMacandWaverleyEnthusiast]

I was at an IMAREST presentation regarding her propulsion upgrade in 2016. They stated they were looking at a minimum of 5 years left for IoA. More than likely she will be around for more than that. She is one of the most useful ships just now. Other than her slight issues at the moment, she is a great help. Regarding her island swapping. She serves Arran on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. She then sails to Islay and does one Islay sailing on Thursday evening. She spends Friday at Islay and then sails to Arran in the evening. She then does Saturday morning at Arran and then shifts back to Islay and does an evening sailing. She spends Sunday at Islay and then shifts to Arran overnight. Then repeat everything again.

[@paulheenan9098]

What would her long term employment be though other than winter relief? Considering that the new vessels and shuffling of larger, younger ships are making her obsolete over most of the network. The only options I can consider is that she will return to storage as a spare or she will provide assistance for the heavily congested Lewis run. Also, what's your take on the supposed plan of Hebrides taking up the Mull service upon replacement to assist the elderly, less capable MV Isle of Mull, as well as the rumour that Hebridean Isles and LOTI will switch places since the former is getting too small and too old for the Islay run, effectively "retiring" her to a quieter, less demanding route.

[@CalMacandWaverleyEnthusiast]

Heb Isles can take two more passengers and 12 more cars than Loti. Or so they say. Heb Isles is loosing her touch though. Her incident at Tiree where she ripped a fairlead out shows this. I think Heb Isles will be the first ship to leave the fleet. Even before Isle of Arran. Not that I want any I them to leave. Plus the original plan is for IoA to assist IoM before Hebrides does. Due to the delay in 802’s arrival into service. Once Hebrides takes over from IoA, I believe the current idea is for IoA to take the Ardrossan - Campbeltown service full time, allowing Caley Isles to do Arran full time as second vessel. It’s all uncertain but that’s my view on what the plan is. Hebrides to Mull is a very sensible idea. No one else seems to think so.

[@lewisf1705]

Isle of Arran seems to be able to berth at the new pier a lot easier then Caledonian Isles can.

[@CalMacandWaverleyEnthusiast]

This is actually longer than it takes Caley Isles now. It was her first day operating to the berth so they will get a lot smoother at it. The Caley has developed a good swing round the bay but IoA resorted to just spinning and backing into the wind before aligning with the pier and finding a good position. It will get faster though. The thing to note is that the gangway fits well. The first time she used it was the night before this. It seems easier to fit it on IoA than it is to fit it on Caley Isles. Mainly because there is no deck above it I think.