MV Loch Buie approaching Rothesay |
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| Career (UK) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MV Loch Buie Scottish Gaelic: Loch Buidhe |
| Namesake: | Loch Buie on Mull |
| Owner: | Caledonian MacBrayne |
| Operator: | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
| Port of registry: | Glasgow |
| Route: | Fionnphort to Iona |
| Builder: | J W Miller & Sons Ltd, St Monans[1] |
| Cost: | £ |
| Yard number: | 1045 |
| Completed: | 1992 |
| In service: | 1 July 1992 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 9031375[2] Callsign: MPJU9 |
| Status: | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | ro-ro vehicle ferry |
| Tonnage: | 295 GT (gross tonnage)[3] |
| Length: | 30.2 m (99 ft)[1] |
| Beam: | 10.0 m (33 ft)[1] |
| Draft: | 1.6m |
| Installed power: | Machinery: |
| Speed: | 9 knots |
| Capacity: | 250 passengers and 9 cars |
| Crew: | 4 |
MV Loch Buie is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ferry built in 1992, operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and operating to Iona.
Contents |
Launched in 1992, Loch Buie underwent trials on the Forth, and was delivered to the west coast through the Caledonian Canal.[4]
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.[4]
Loch Buie's layout is similar to the original ‘Baby Loch’s’ of 1986 and 1987.[4] 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.[4] 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.[4]
Built for the Iona service, Loch Buie rarely sails on other routes.[4]