Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Members at work

Crew levels maintained as CalMac introduces essential lifeline timetable

26 March 2020

CalMac have announced its ferry services to Scotland and the Scottish isles are being reduced by 61%, but it aims to retain current crew levels for the new 'essential lifeline' only timetable during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new reduced timetable, starting Friday 27 March which will run for an initial three-week period, comes during a lockdown on all but essential travel across the whole of the UK. It covers sailings to the Firth of Clyde, Southern Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides, Skye, Rasay and the smaller isles.

CalMac says 'it will be subject to continual review in a rapidly changing environment, but we believe it is sustainable with our current crews'.

The new timetable replaces the planned move from a winter timetable to the normal summer timetable and will mean weekly sailings drop from 2,419 to 948 against the normal winter timetable – a drop of almost 61%.

All islands will receive a regular lifeline service ensuring essential goods and services are delivered.

In response to government restrictions, passengers travelling across CalMac's service were down by 85%, cars by 75% and commercial traffic by 45%. In 2019 daily passenger numbers at the end of March were around 9,500, compared to current levels of about 1,500 and these are expected to drop further.

Up to 8,000 bookings were cancelled through the dedicated contact centre teams compared to just 300 in the same period last year.

'We believe that this timetable will be able to maximise use of available crews for the vessels and continue to provide our vital lifeline service for communities,' CalMac managing director Robbie Drummond said.

'These are extreme times for businesses across Scotland, the UK and indeed the world. As this virus spreads there is the chance that pressure on crewing may require us to make further changes.

'In this eventuality, we will work to our agreed route prioritisation matrix to ensure that all islands receive a service. We are in daily contact with the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland to ensure we are on top of all the latest advice and guidance.'

Last week CalMac announced it was not taking any new advanced bookings on any routes until at least 15 July. It has also stopped selling any food, drink or retail on board any vessels.

 


Tags

More articles

Featured
Health and safety

Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • Telegraph
  • 17 March 2021
Health and safety

Coronavirus – advice to members

Nautilus members will be aware that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the recent coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

  • News
  • 06 February 2020
Industrial

Union success as CalMac agrees extra officer jobs

Following a Manning Review, CalMac have agreed eight extra officer positions to address Union members' concerns about crewing levels.

  • News
  • 26 March 2020
Health and safety

CalMac designates crew key workers as Scots close down ferries to non-essential travel

CalMac designates crew key workers as Scots close down ferries to non-essential travel

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Health and safety

UK commits to seafarer welfare, crew transfers and shore leave

The British Shipping Minister Kelly Tolhurst has written to three UN agencies pledging its commitment to the welfare of seafarers of all nationalities during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Health and safety

ISWAN video promotes mental health coping strategies for seafarers affected by coronavirus quarantine

The International Seafarer Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has produced a video to help seafarers cope with the stress of Covid-19 restrictions.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Health and safety

France curbs ferry traffic with reduced cross channel services

The French government has suspended all non-regular passenger vessels carrying more than 100 passengers across the English Channel and the North Sea until April 15.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Health and safety

Union calls for priority testing of key workers for coronavirus ahead of home testing kit hitting the high street

Nautilus has called for key workers – including maritime professionals – to be given top priority for home testing coronavirus kits expected to be available in the UK 'within days'.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Members at work

Nautilus protests 'draconian' sick pay suspensions for Stena Line ferry members

Nautilus has protested 'draconian' steps taken by Stena Line ferries to suspend its sick pay scheme in response to pressures from the coronavirus pandemic without consultation with unions.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
International

San Diego sets strict crew monitoring guidelines for cruise calls

The Port of San Diego is putting in place new measures to ensure the number of cruise crew sign-offs are monitored for Holland America and Celebrity Cruises during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Members at work

MCA approves digital sea-time verification

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has given the green light to digital sea-time verification for Nautilus superyacht members.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Members at work

Union seeks MCA approval for move to digital sea time verification

Union seeks MCA approval for move to digital sea time verification

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Welfare

Nautilus flags financial help available to furloughed seafarers

Financial support is available to furloughed crew from several Nautilus partner maritime charities.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Insights: how the coronavirus spread on cruiseship Diamond Princess

Insights: how the coronavirus spread on cruiseship Diamond Princess

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

France curbs ferry traffic with reduced cross channel services

The French government has suspended all non-regular passenger vessels carrying more than 100 passengers across the English Channel and the North Sea until April 15.

  • News
  • 25 March 2020
Health and safety

DFDS suspends onboard services as part of UK bar and restaurant ban

Ferry operator DFDS has decided to suspend its onboard services on UK-France routes during the Covid-19 pandemic – in line with the UK government's decision to close pubs and restaurants on land.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Members at work

Thames Clippers to maintain full pay for crews under reduced timetable

Thames Clippers – a major employer of Nautilus members – is to scale down its service following a 75% reduction of business due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

  • News
  • 20 March 2020
Health and safety

Stena Line U-Turn on pre-screening crew for coronavirus

Gothenburg-based ferry operator Stena line has ditched plans to pre-screen crew for signs of coronavirus before onsigning across its passenger and freight ferry routes.

  • News
  • 13 March 2020
Health and safety

Nine Italian ferry crew quarantined after passenger tests positive for Covid-19

Nine crew members onboard Grandi Navi Veloci's (GNV) ferry Majestic were quarantined after a passenger on a ferry they had previously been working on tested positive for Covid-19 coronavirus.

  • News
  • 12 March 2020