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Displaying items by tag: Leadership Review

Caledonian MacBrayne's (CalMac) chief executive is stepping down as the Scottish state-owned ferry operator faces ongoing challenges with its aging fleet.

The ferry company announced on Wednesday (3 April) that Robbie Drummond is stepping down with immediate effect from the operator, which has the largest domestic fleet in UK waters.

The development comes just over a week after the Ferguson Marine shipyard of Port Glasgow, which is also state-owned, saw its chief executive, David Tydeman sacked by its board.

This departure comes after a review by the board of CalMac, the operator to west coast islands and across lochs, which is also wholly owned by the Scottish Government with parliament at Holywood, in the capital of Edinburgh.

In recent years, the aging nature of CalMac’s ferry fleet has led to major delays and widespread disruption across its extensive route network along the west coast.

Among the main issues is the ongoing ferry fiasco, costing the Scottish public a 'staggering' £1.3 million a week under ScotGov control.

The shipyard problems have been compounded by ongoing delays to two hybrid duel fuel powered ferries being built at the yard at Port Glasgow.

The twin ferries, Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, will ultimately serve routes in the west of Scotland with CalMac, are some six years late as the lead ship was due to enter service in 2018.

The cost of both new builds is around three times that of the original price of £97 million.

More from the Herald Scotland on this latest ferry scene and the shipyard saga. 

Published in Ferry

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.