MV Lochmor

Lochmor as Lochawe
Career	→
Name:	1979–2001: Lochmor 2001–2002: Lochawe 2002–2009: Torbay Belle 2009–2014: Jurassic Scene 2014–2015: Gullfoss
Namesake:	earlier Outer Isles mail steamer
Owner:	1979–2001: Caledonian MacBrayne 2001–2002: Landwest Shipping Corporation (Argyll) 2002–2009: Brixham Belle Cruises (Paignton) since 2009: Blue Line Cruises (Poole)
Port of registry:	Glasgow/Brixham –2014: Poole,  United Kingdom 2014: Akranes,  Iceland
Route:	Mallaig to Small Isles
Builder:	Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon[1] Engines: Volvo Penta, Sweden
Yard number:	554
Launched:	11 June 1979
In service:	July 1979
Out of service:	2001
Identification:	Call sign: GYOR → TFGX IMO number: 7811240 MMSI number: 251362110
Status:	in service
General characteristics
Tonnage:	189 GRT 51 t DWT
Length:	30.98 m (101 ft 8 in)[1]
Beam:	8.01 m (26 ft 3 in)
Draught:	1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Installed power:	Twin diesel 2 x M6cy 4SA 382kW 520bhp[2]
Propulsion:	twin screw
Speed:	10 knots
Capacity:	130 passengers
Crew:	6

MV Lochmor was a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne serving the Small Isles from 1979 until 2001. Since 2009 she has operated cruises from Poole as MV Jurassic Scene

History

Ailsa Shipbuilders of Troon won a tender in 1978 for an 84 foot vessel to replace the converted minesweeper, MV Loch Arkaig which served the Small Isles for 15 years.^[3] Before building, the specification was increased to 102 ft.

Layout

MV Lochmor had a raised main deck that was open at the stern for cargo. When required, there was space for two cars. Cargo loading was aided by a starboard crane. Forward, there were two passenger saloons on the lower deck, with the bridge on an upper deck. A landing platform, above the bridge, was used at the extreme low water found at Mallaig.^[3]

The superstructure has subsequently been extended back to surround the funnel.^[4]

Service

MV Lochmor's predecessor, Loch Arkaig sank at her berth in Mallaig in March 1979. Her place was taken by MV Arran until MV Lochmor entered service on 18 July.^[3]

From Mallaig, MV Lochmor served the islands of Rùm, Eigg, Muck and Canna, as well as Armadale, Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh. She also gave cruises to Loch Duich and Portree. Of the Small Isles, only Canna had a pier that she could go alongside. On the other islands a ferry boat met the main ferry.

In 2001 MV Lochmor was replaced by MV Lochnevis. She was sold to Landwest Corp Ltd, Argyll and renamed MV Loch Awe. During this period of ownership by Landwest, the ship was maintained, certificated and crewed by Landwest Corporation's sister company Argyll Ferries Ltd.

From 2003 she operated as MV Torbay Belle for Brixham Belle Cruises of Paignton. In 2009 she was sold to Blue Line Cruises of Poole and renamed MV Jurassic Scene.^[4] She now operates cruises on the south coast of England, from Poole.

Footnotes