VESSEL REVIEW | Lady of Lismore – Durable lifeline ferry for Scottish island community

The Argyll and Bute Council, an authority council area on the west coast of Scotland, has taken delivery of a new "lifeline" passenger ferry for operation between Port Appin and nearby Lismore Island.

Designed by naval architects Keel Marine and built by Mainstay Marine Solutions of Pembroke Dock in Wales, the new ferry is built entirely of steel with a length of 12 metres, a cruising speed of eight knots, and capacity for 23 passengers and a crew of two. Local islanders and primary school pupils chose the name Lady of Lismore for the new ferry following a poll organised by the community council.

The Argyll and Bute Council said the design and the construction of the vessel were done in compliance to current exacting specifications defined by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) taking account of passenger safety and accessibility requirements. A raised pilothouse, which is also equipped with a radar supplied by Lowrance, provides the crew with improved all-around visibility even with the aft passenger cabin.

Lady of Lismore sailed under its own power to be delivered to its new owners on December 13, 2021, completing the journey of 302 nautical miles with its arrival at Port Appin on March 31. Scheduled to enter service before the end of this month, the newbuild has already replaced Lismore, an older ferry that had served the Argyll and Bute communities for over three decades. The newer vessel will provide an essential service to and from Lismore for island residents, businesses, and even visitors.

The £500,000 (US$649,000) funding for the purchase of the vessel was made available by Transport Scotland. Argyll and Bute's Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, Councillor Rory Colville, remarked that the new ferry will provide a lifeline service for both residents and visitors of Lismore over the next three decades.

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