MV Ali Cat
 MV Ali Cat at Gourock pierhead on 3 May 2006
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | MV Ali Cat |
| Owner | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | |
| Route | Dunoon to Gourock |
| Builder | South Boats of East Cowes, Isle of Wight |
| Completed | 1999 |
| Acquired | 13 October 2002 |
| Identification | MMSI number: 235056506 |
| Status | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 78 GT[1] |
| Installed power | Two Scania DI 14 diesels |
| Propulsion | 32inch propellers |
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) max. |
| Capacity | 250 passengers |
| Crew | 4 |
MV Ali Cat is a motor
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, which along with MV Argyll Flyer provides a service from Dunoon to Gourock across the Firth of Clyde
.
History
MV Ali Cat was built in 2000 for
Rothesay to Wemyss Bay service which only had a 90-minute service at peak times. Introduction of the Ali Cat for the winter 2002-03 timetable met morning and evening commuter demand on the Dunoon run, releasing the peak period car ferry to improve the Rothesay service. At first the catamaran had occasional difficulties with winter weather making embarking at Dunoon hazardous and leading to cancellations. The service was subsequently extended to cover summer timetables, and construction of a breakwater in 2004 overcame the problems at Dunoon pier.[2]
From 30 June 2011, the
Argyll Ferries Ltd (a sister company to Caledonian MacBrayne
). Ali Cat was purchased outright and continues to ply the route.
Layout
Argyll Ferries Ltd
livery 2011–2019.
Ali Cat is a motor catamaran. A bar serves the covered accommodation, and passengers can also use the open upper deck. She can maintain a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph), but the service speed is around 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Service
MV Ali Cat provides a passenger-only service between
Rothesay service.[2]
Following the withdrawal of the
Argyll Ferries Ltd and using the new pier at Dunoon. As well as being repainted in Argyll Ferries livery, a fold-down ramp was added at the stern, enabling foot passenger use of the linkspan
vehicle ramps at both ferry terminals.
From 21 January 2019 the Argyll Ferries service was transferred by Transport Scotland into the existing Caledonian MacBrayne Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract,[3] and from 12 November 2019 Ali Cat was seen in CalMac livery.[4]
Footnotes
- ^ a b "Ali Cat". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-9507166-7-7.
- ^ "CalMac takes over the tiller at Argyll Ferries". Argyll Ferries. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
"Gourock to Dunoon - FAQs". CalMac Ferries. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019. - ^ "Clyde Shipping - A New Look For Clyde Ferry". Inverclyde Now. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
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