Operator Caledonian MacBrayne Length 22 m | Launched 23 March 1976 Draft 1.4 m | |
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Builder James Lamont & Co, Port GlasgowEngines1 Bergius Kelvin Co. Ltd., Glasgow2 Scania turbocharged diesels | ||
MV Raasay is a bow-loading passenger and vehicle ferry owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, serving Raasay until 2001, and now a spare vessel.
Contents
History
Built in Port Glasgow, Raasay was the eighth and last Island Class ferry. On replacing MV Canna at Raasay, she became the third ferry there in two years.
MV Raasay was one of the first CMAL ships to receive its Inventory of Hazardous Materials or "Green Passport". She has appeared on several TV programmes, including Balamory, Distant Shores and on a Peugeot TV advert.
Layout
MV Raasay has a single deck with a ramp at the bow and a small lounge and toilet.
Service
MV Raasay was built for the crossing between Sconser on the Isle of Skye, and the nearby island of Raasay, where she remained for two decades. She never missed a full day's sailings on that route, only leaving at Raasay for her own overhaul, when she was relieved by one of her older sisters. She also took some charters to Rona.
In summer 1997, to handle increasing traffic, she was replaced by the larger MV Loch Striven and became a spare ferry. Lying at Oban or Tobermory, she occasionally relieved MV Eigg and MV Coll. More recently she has relieved MV Lochnevis on the Small Isles run and MV Canna at Ballycastle.
