MV Loch Buie
MV Loch Buie is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ferry built in 1992. She is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the crossing to Iona.
MV Loch Buie approaching Iona | |
History | |
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Name: |
|
Namesake: | Loch Buie on Mull |
Owner: | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
Operator: | Caledonian MacBrayne |
Port of registry: | Glasgow |
Route: | Fionnphort to Iona |
Builder: | J W Miller & Sons Ltd, St Monans[1] |
Cost: | £ |
Yard number: | 1045 |
Launched: | 14 October 1991[2] |
Completed: | 1992 |
In service: | 1 July 1992 |
Identification: |
|
Status: | in service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | ro-ro vehicle ferry |
Tonnage: | 295 GT[4] |
Length: | 30.2 m (99 ft)[1] |
Beam: | 10.0 m (33 ft)[1] |
Draft: | 1.6 m (5.2 ft) |
Installed power: | Machinery: |
Speed: | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
Capacity: | 250 passengers and 9 cars |
Crew: | 4 |
History
Launched in 1992, Loch Buie underwent trials on the Forth, and was delivered to the west coast through the Caledonian Canal.[5]
On her first day in service at Fionnphort, she struck the concrete ramp, damaging one of her Voith-Schneider units. Repairs followed on the Clyde and she returned to service in the summer.[5]
Layout
Loch Buie's layout is similar to the original ‘Baby Loch’s’ of 1986 and 1987.[5] Her car deck can take two lanes of cars, with a passenger lounge on each side. An additional lounge straddles the car deck, towards the bow. This produces a height restriction for vehicles and reduces her suitability for other routes where drive-through operation for high vehicles is required.[5] The additional lounge means her passenger certificate allows up to 250 passengers.
Her stern ramp was extended after a few years, avoiding the risk of passengers getting wet feet, and making it easier for large vehicles to board from the steep slipways.[5]
Service
Built for the Iona service, Loch Buie rarely sails on other routes.[5]
References
- "MV Loch Buie". CalMac. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- "MV Lochn Buie". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- "Loch Buie- IMO: 9031375". ShipSpotting. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- "Loch Buie". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- "History of Loch Buie". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
External links
- MV Loch Buie on www.calmac.co.uk