Namesake Loch Nevis Port of registry Glasgow Length 49 m | Operator Caledonian MacBrayne Launched 8 May 2000 | |
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Name Lochnevis
Scottish Gaelic Loch Nibheis Owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Route Mallaig - Small Isles
Mallaig - Armadale (winter) Builder Ailsa Shipbuilding Company | ||
MV Lochnevis is a Caledonian Maritime Assets ferry, launched in 2000. She is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, serving the Small Isles of Scotland.
Contents
History
Lochnevis was launched by Rev. Alan Lamb and Sarah Boyack at Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon on 6 May 2000 and entered service on 1 November 2001.
Layout
Lochnevis' appearance is dominated by a large stern vehicle ramp. This allows her to berth a considerable distance from a slipway, protecting her exposed Azimuth thrusters in shallow waters. She can carry 190 passengers and 14 cars, although due to vehicle restrictions on the Small Isles, she often carries no vehicles. The car deck is also used for goods for the islands. The starboard gangway entrance is used at Canna.
Forward of the car deck is crew accommodation, with the cafeteria, serving area, and galley above. On the next deck, the observation lounge has seating arranged diagonally. Officers' accommodation lies forward of the lounge, while heavy side doors lead to the open deck.
Passengers can enjoy the view ahead from an open bow - a rarity on current Western Isles ferries. Aft of the lounge is outside seating, again laid out in a diagonal arrangement. Further aft are the fast rescue craft (port) and a single funnel and the hydraulic goods crane (starboard).
Service
Lochnevis replaced the 20-year-old MV Lochmor on the Small Isles service. She serves the islands of Eigg, Canna, Rùm and Muck from Mallaig, taking 7 hours for a round of the four islands, compared with ten hours by her predecessor. Initially, Lochnevis, like Lochmor, at islands apart from Canna, was met by a ferry boat. In the years following her introduction, new piers and slipways have been built on all the islands, allowing Lochnevis to berth stern-to.
During the winter, Lochnevis adds the Mallaig – Armadale roster. In the early years, she was relieved by MV Pioneer, but since that vessel's sale, MV Raasay, MV Loch Bhrusda and various charter boats have been used.