MV Lochinvar
.jpg) MV Lochinvar | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
| |
| Name: | MV Lochinvar |
| Namesake: | Lochinvar |
| Owner: | Caledonian Maritime Assets |
| Operator: | Caledonian MacBrayne |
| Port of registry: | Glasgow |
| Route: | Mallaig - Armadale |
| Ordered: | 2011[1] |
| Builder: | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow |
| Cost: | £12,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 726 |
| Launched: | 23 May 2013 |
| Christened: | by Mrs Patricia Platten |
| Completed: | 2013 |
| Identification: |
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| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | ro-ro vehicle and passenger ferry |
| Tonnage: | 135 DWT |
| Length: | 43.5 m (143 ft) |
| Beam: | 12.2 m (40 ft) |
| Draught: | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: | Voith 16 R5 EC/90-1 Units |
| Speed: | 9 kn |
| Capacity: | 150 passengers; 23 cars |
MV Lochinvar is a pioneering diesel electric hybrid ferry built for Caledonian MacBrayne. Initially, she operated between Tarbert and Portavadie, and was moved to the Mallaig to Armadale route in 2016. She is one of only three passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferries in the world to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and lithium ion battery power and is the second hybrid ferry commissioned and owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets. The ferries are sea-going and are nearly 150 ft long, accommodating 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs. The first ferry, MV Hallaig, entered service on the Sconser to Raasay route in October 2013. The third sister ship, MV Catriona, is due to enter service in 2016.
History
MV Lochinvar was launched on 23 May 2013 at Ferguson Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow by Mrs Patricia Platten, wife of CMAL CEO, Guy Platten. Lochinvar is only the second commercial ship to be fully built and delivered on the Clyde in over five years. The Scottish Government has invested more than £20 million in the project and the European Development Fund (ERDF) invested an additional £450,000 in December 2011.
The names of all ships in the hybrid fleet will follow MV Hallaig and be named after Scottish literature. Hundreds of people voted for the name and Lochinvar received over 55 per cent of the votes cast, with the name reflecting the poem by Sir Walter Scott, written in 1808.
Layout
MV Lochinvar can accommodate 150 passengers, 23 cars or 2 HGVs. She has a service speed of nine knots and is powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which supplies power to electric propulsion motors that turn the propulsion units. In addition, 2 lithium-ion battery banks with a total of 700kWh are also available to supply power to the units, reducing fuel and CO2 consumption by at least 20%. The battery banks will be charged overnight from the mains.
The vessel design and power configuration will additionally realise 19-24% savings of power input to the propulsion units over a conventional diesel mechanical solution reducing Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Oxide and Nitrous Oxide emissions.
Service
MV Lochinvar was built for the service between Tarbert and Portavadie. After undergoing sea trials in the Firth of Clyde between March and May 2014, she entered service on 27 May 2014, releasing MV Isle of Cumbrae.[3]
Lochinvar led the Commonwealth Flotilla from Greenock to Glasgow on 26 July 2014 as part of celebrations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Throughout winter 2014, Lochinvar included sailings to Lochranza from Tarbert as part of the winter timetable, and also saw service relieving for other vessels in the CalMac fleet as they went for annual drydocking. In January 2015, she relieved on the Largs - Cumbrae route so that Loch Shira could go for her overhaul.
It was announced in September 2015 that MV Lochinvar will take over sailings between Mallaig and Armadale from April 2016, partnering MV Lord of the Isles and thus allowing MV Coruisk to become the second Oban - Craignure ferry. This reshuffling of the Mallaig fleet has been criticised due to MV Lochinvar's reduced capacity and inadequate passenger accommodation, and calls have been made to retain Coruisk on the route alongside Lord of the Isles.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited announces Scottish shipbuilder as preferred bidder for Low Emissions Hybrid Ferries project". CMAL. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ↑ "Hallaig". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ↑ "Second hybrid ferry launches on the Clyde". CMAL. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
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