CalMac warns of 'critical shortage' as eight ferries now out of action

Engine problems have put an eighth CalMac ferry out of action, as the operator apologised for a "critical" shortage of ships. MV Lord of the Isles, which had been covering the Oban to Mull route, suspended all sailings on Saturday after a "technical issue" with its main engine. Three other large ferries - including CalMac's troubled Glen Sannox vessel - are already unavailable, while four other ships are undergoing annual maintenance. The state-owned firm told island communities that the situation was the "most pressing" it had faced and disruption would continue into next week. CalMac said "virtually every island served by a major vessel" on its west of Scotland network was being affected by the shortage of ships. Chief executive Duncan Mackison said: "The critical situation we find ourselves in has worsened due to MV Lord of the Isles reporting an engine issue. "A combination of weather, sea swell and technical issues means services are below planned levels on Arran, Barra, Coll, Colonsay, Harris, Islay, North Uist, South Uist and Tiree. "We're urgently looking at deployment plans into next week to put services in place on islands facing disruption or cancellation due to vessel a