| Type | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Gourock, Scotland, UK |
| Area served | River Clyde |
| Services | Ferries |
| Owner(s) | Scottish Government |
| Parent | David MacBrayne Ltd |
| Website | www.argyllferries.co.uk |
Argyll Ferries is a ferry company formed in January 2011 by parent company David MacBrayne Ltd to tender for the Dunoon to Gourock route. They were announced as the preferred bidder at the end of May 2011, with the service due to commence on 30 June of that year, subject to exchange of contracts on 7 June.[1]
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The company operates two passenger carrying vessels on the route, namely, the MV Ali Cat, which CalMac had previously run on a long 9-year lease from Isle of Wight Cruises but now bought outright, and the MV Argyll Flyer, a ten year old Irish ferry purchased for the new service. Concerns were expressed about the suitability of these small boats in rough weather, but a spokesman for the parent company of the ferry operators, David MacBrayne Ltd, gave assurances that the ferries were suitable, and would have the advantage of using the new sheltered berth at Dunoon instead of the old pier which is more exposed.[2]
When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer had been held up by broken rear prop shafts. As an interim measure the cruise boat MV Clyde Clipper was leased from Clyde Cruises to start the service; it suffered breakdowns during the first day,[3] but has continued in interim service alongside the other two ferries.
The register at Companies House lists Argyll Ferries (Mull of Kintyre) Limited as company No. SC110740. Argyll Ferries was then transferred out of the limited company and the Companies House registered entity was dissolved 5 November 1993.[4]
In 2002 an Argyll Group plc subsidiary called Argyll Ferries issued a press release stating its intention to bid for a subsidised reintroduction of the Ballycastle to Campbeltown service. This Campbeltown based company had officers, crew, management and ship owners who had been involved in the Western Ferries service from Campbeltown to Red Bay in the 1970s, and from a previous Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry run by Sea Containers in the 1990s service. It also incorporated the Landwest Shipping group which had organised a bid for the service in 2001.[5] In February 2003 they withdrew their bid.[6] On 1st June 2007 the company underwent a rationalisation due to there being several surplus limited companies within the group. Argyll Ferries was transferred to Lochmor Shipping Ltd (Official Number SC253961)., as a division within that company. Thereafter, on 26 June 2007, the supernumerary limited version of Argyll Ferries (Official Number SC244859) was renamed Campbeltown Closure (Finished with Company 2) Ltd., and this was dissolved on 30 October 2009.[7]
On 13th June 2011 a new company named Bute Ferries Ltd was created. It is not yet known whether this has any relationship to Argyll Ferries Ltd., other than both Argyle & Bute are the name of the two ferries currently opperated by CalMac Ferries Ltd., between Rothesay on the island of Bute, and Wemyss Bay on the mainland.
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