The council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed on Thursday 12 September to pursue full funding for its ferry service as a way of best meeting the needs of island communities.
The committee also agreed new plans to build resilience into operating procedures for the Jura, Luing, Lismore and Easdale ferries, as well a strategy that includes additional sailings until capacity can be increased.
The long-term vessel strategy considers not only vessel replacement, but also the requirements of the island communities served by the ferries. These priorities are:
- Onsite accommodation at Port Askaig to help with recruiting suitably certified officers who meet the minimum standards for manning vessels and may live off the island normally;
- Funding for the design of a new Jura ferry which would define capacity, fuel type, crew size and infrastructure upgrade requirements;
- Jura ferry new build and infrastructure required to support the community for the next 20-30 years;
- Deploying the Eilean Dhiura from Jura to Cuan/Luing, and making any necessary changes to the slipway on that route; and
- Replacing the Easdale workboat with a landing craft type vessel.
How the ferries are crewed is also being reviewed to boost resilience and meet skills shortage and competition for those skills.
The council’s lifeline ferry services currently runs at a deficit, with support from the Scottish Government to help bridge, but not fully fund, the gap. For the financial year 2024-25 there will be a £600,000 shortfall which will have to be met by the council.
Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said: “We believe that the council is best placed to provide our island communities with the ferry services they need. With appropriate funding we can support the daily needs of residents, visitors and the islands’ economies.â€