Passengers were reportedly left “stranded” when the Tarbert-Portavadie ferry service was cancelled at about midday on Monday.
Sailings were suspended because of an electrical fault on MV Loch Riddon, a vessel which was operating on the route in place of the usual ferry, MV Isle of Cumbrae, which was taken out of service the week before because of “technical issues”.
Earlier on Monday, CalMac reported that “due to a technical issue elsewhere on the network”, MV Loch Riddon was being redeployed.
However, the ferry operator then said the MV Loch Riddon would resume service on the Tarbert-Portavadie route with the Monday 2.15pm sailing departing Tarbert, before the electrical fault was reported.
Councillor Alastair Redman said some of his constituents, some of them with no car, had been left stranded at Portavadie.
“I’m furious,” he said. “Some of them were foot passengers who were forced to rely on the kindness of strangers.”
He said his constituents had essentially been told they were “second best” with the ferry redeployed.
“It is not acceptable,” said the councillor, who said his constituents had been left “stranded and abandoned”.
The Tarbert-Portavadie ferry service remained cancelled when the Courier went to press.
In an update at midday on Wednesday, CalMac said: “Due to an electrical fault, MV Loch Riddon remains berthed at Largs.
“Spare parts have been ordered and engineers are working with outside contractors to resolve the issue. As a result, this service has been cancelled.”
The statement added: “Cancelling a sailing is a decision we do not take lightly because we know it will inconvenience our customers and the communities we serve.”