MV Eigg

300px MV Eigg loading at Achnacriosh, Lismore
History
United Kingdom
Name:	MV Eigg Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Eige
Namesake:	Eigg
Owner:	Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
Operator:	Caledonian MacBrayne
Port of registry:	Glasgow
Route:	Spare Vessel
Builder:	James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow Engines by: English Electric Diesels Re-engined at Timbacraft, Shandon
Yard number:	423
Launched:	12 December 1974
In service:	25 February 1975
Identification:	IMO number: 7340411 Callsign: 2GFZ MMSI number: 232003365
Status:	in service
General characteristics
Tonnage:	69 GRT
Length:	22.5 m (73.8 ft)
Beam:	6.4 m (21.0 ft)
Draught:	1.4 m (4.6 ft)
Installed power:	(originally) Twin diesel 2 x M6cy 150bhp each (currently) 2x Scania D9 93M35 9 litre turbocharged 6 cyl diesels each rated at 257 hp at 1900 rpm.
Propulsion:	Twin screw
Speed:	8 knots
Capacity:	5 cars and 75 passengers
Crew:	3

MV Eigg is a car ferry built for Caledonian MacBrayne in 1974. She is owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and has operated mostly on the Oban to Lismore route since 1976. She is the oldest vessel in the fleet.

History

MV Eigg was the sixth Island Class ferry built for Caledonian MacBrayne.

Layout

The eight Island Class ferries, built between 1972 and 1976, were a very simple design, based on World War II landing craft. They had a two-part folding ramp at the bow, an open plan car deck incorporating a small turntable immediately aft and a sheltered area of passenger accommodation at the stern. The wheelhouse was above the passenger accommodation and the main mast above the ramp at the bow. A radar mast sat on top of the bridge, just forward of the small funnel and engine exhaust.

In 1999 MV Eigg's wheelhouse was raised to provide an unobstructed view. At the same overhaul, she was given the livery of the rest of the fleet, with a black hull, becoming the most easily identified Island Class ship.

Service

MV Eigg entered service in 1975, on the Raasay crossing from Portree on Skye, bringing vehicle capability to the route. Replaced by her sister, MV Canna in January 1976, Eigg began her career as the Lismore ferry.

In 1996 Eigg became the Kilchoan ferry (from Tobermory on Mull). She had a IIA passenger certificate and, when required, was able to provide livestock runs between Mallaig and the Small Isles. Her relief vessel was MV Bruernish or MV Coll.

In 1999 she once again became the dedicated Lismore vessel. Eigg has also seen service on relief at Jura on charter for Argyll and Bute Ferries. In 2013, following the entry to service of Hallaig at Raasay, Eigg was replaced on the Lismore service by MV Loch Riddon. Despite her replacement, Eigg was given another annual overhaul and passenger certificate in March 2014 and remains spare at Oban.

In 2015 MV Eigg moved to Greenock where she docked in the James Watt Dock marina and has remained there since, sometimes taking a sail around the Greenock area.