Argyll Ferries Ltd
Encyclopedia
Argyll Ferries is a ferry company formed in January 2011 by parent company David MacBrayne Ltd
to tender for the Dunoon
to Gourock
route. They were announced as the preferred bidder at the end of May 2011, with the service due to commence on 30 June of that year, subject to exchange of contracts on 7 June.
, which CalMac had previously run on a long 9-year lease from Isle of Wight Cruises but now bought outright, and the MV Argyll Flyer
, a ten year old Irish ferry purchased for the new service. Concerns were expressed about the suitability of these small boats in rough weather, but a spokesman for the parent company of the ferry operators, David MacBrayne Ltd
, gave assurances that the ferries were suitable, and would have the advantage of using the new sheltered berth at Dunoon instead of the old pier which is more exposed.
When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer had been held up by broken rear prop shafts. As an interim measure the cruise boat was leased from Clyde Cruises to start the service; it suffered breakdowns during the first day, but has continued in interim service alongside the other two ferries.
lists Argyll Ferries (Mull of Kintyre) Limited as company No. SC110740. Argyll Ferries was then transferred out of the limited company and the Companies House registered entity was dissolved 5 November 1993.
In 2002 an Argyll Group plc subsidiary called Argyll Ferries issued a press release stating its intention to bid for a subsidised reintroduction of the Ballycastle
to Campbeltown
service. This Campbeltown based company had officers, crew, management and ship owners who had been involved in the Western Ferries
service from Campbeltown to Red Bay in the 1970s, and from a previous Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry run by Sea Containers in the 1990s service. It also incorporated the Landwest Shipping group which had organised a bid for the service in 2001. In February 2003 they withdrew their bid. On 1st June 2007 the company underwent a rationalisation due to there being several surplus limited companies within the group. Argyll Ferries was transferred to Lochmor Shipping Ltd (Official Number SC253961)., as a division within that company. Thereafter, on 26 June 2007, the supernumerary limited version of Argyll Ferries (Official Number SC244859) was renamed Campbeltown Closure (Finished with Company 2) Ltd., and this was dissolved on 30 October 2009.
On 13th June 2011 a new company named Bute Ferries Ltd was created. It is not yet known whether this has any relationship to Argyll Ferries Ltd., other than both Argyle & Bute are the name of the two ferries currently opperated by CalMac Ferries Ltd., between Rothesay on the island of Bute, and Wemyss Bay on the mainland.
David MacBrayne Ltd
David MacBrayne Ltd is a company owned by the Scottish Government. Formed in 1851 as a private shipping company, it became the main carrier for freight and passengers in the Hebrides...
to tender for the Dunoon
Dunoon
Dunoon is a resort town situated on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. It sits on the Firth of Clyde to the south of Holy Loch and to the west of Gourock.-Waterfront:...
to Gourock
Gourock
Gourock is a town falling within the Inverclyde council area and formerly forming a burgh of the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It has in the past functioned as a seaside resort on the Firth of Clyde...
route. They were announced as the preferred bidder at the end of May 2011, with the service due to commence on 30 June of that year, subject to exchange of contracts on 7 June.
Fleet
The company operates two passenger carrying vessels on the route, namely, the MV Ali CatMV Ali Cat
MV Ali Cat is a motor catamaran passenger ferry in the Argyll Ferries Ltd fleet, which along with provides a service from Dunoon to Gourock across the Firth of Clyde.-History:...
, which CalMac had previously run on a long 9-year lease from Isle of Wight Cruises but now bought outright, and the MV Argyll Flyer
MV Argyll Flyer
MV Argyll Flyer is a passenger ferry in the Argyll Ferries Ltd fleet, which along with provides a service from Dunoon to Gourock across the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.-History:...
, a ten year old Irish ferry purchased for the new service. Concerns were expressed about the suitability of these small boats in rough weather, but a spokesman for the parent company of the ferry operators, David MacBrayne Ltd
David MacBrayne Ltd
David MacBrayne Ltd is a company owned by the Scottish Government. Formed in 1851 as a private shipping company, it became the main carrier for freight and passengers in the Hebrides...
, gave assurances that the ferries were suitable, and would have the advantage of using the new sheltered berth at Dunoon instead of the old pier which is more exposed.
When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer had been held up by broken rear prop shafts. As an interim measure the cruise boat was leased from Clyde Cruises to start the service; it suffered breakdowns during the first day, but has continued in interim service alongside the other two ferries.
Previous companies named Argyll Ferries
The register at Companies HouseCompanies House
Companies House is the United Kingdom Registrar of Companies and is an Executive Agency of the United Kingdom Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills . All forms of companies are incorporated and registered with Companies House and file specific details as required by the...
lists Argyll Ferries (Mull of Kintyre) Limited as company No. SC110740. Argyll Ferries was then transferred out of the limited company and the Companies House registered entity was dissolved 5 November 1993.
In 2002 an Argyll Group plc subsidiary called Argyll Ferries issued a press release stating its intention to bid for a subsidised reintroduction of the Ballycastle
Ballycastle, County Antrim
Ballycastle is a small town in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Its population was 5,089 people in the 2001 Census. It is the seat and main settlement of Moyle District Council....
to Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
service. This Campbeltown based company had officers, crew, management and ship owners who had been involved in the Western Ferries
Western Ferries
Western Ferries is a private ferry company with its headquarters in Dunoon, Scotland. It currently operates on the River Clyde running a year-round, high-frequency service between Hunters Quay and Gourock in Inverclyde.-History:...
service from Campbeltown to Red Bay in the 1970s, and from a previous Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry run by Sea Containers in the 1990s service. It also incorporated the Landwest Shipping group which had organised a bid for the service in 2001. In February 2003 they withdrew their bid. On 1st June 2007 the company underwent a rationalisation due to there being several surplus limited companies within the group. Argyll Ferries was transferred to Lochmor Shipping Ltd (Official Number SC253961)., as a division within that company. Thereafter, on 26 June 2007, the supernumerary limited version of Argyll Ferries (Official Number SC244859) was renamed Campbeltown Closure (Finished with Company 2) Ltd., and this was dissolved on 30 October 2009.
On 13th June 2011 a new company named Bute Ferries Ltd was created. It is not yet known whether this has any relationship to Argyll Ferries Ltd., other than both Argyle & Bute are the name of the two ferries currently opperated by CalMac Ferries Ltd., between Rothesay on the island of Bute, and Wemyss Bay on the mainland.