MV Glen Sannox sea trial blow after ferry suffers 'blackout'

The ferry is currently undergoing her final tests before being handed over to the Scottish Government's ferry procurement agency CMAL in a few weeks time.

But the Glen Sannox experienced a 'blackout' on the outskirts of Loch Fyne on Wednesday, October 2.

The vessel is earmarked to serve the Ardrossan to Brodick route and was originally due for delivery in 2018, but has been beset by a series of problems including previous design difficulties. 

The vessel reached a major milestone earlier this week (Image: Alistair Forsyth)

The incident is said to have been caused by a result of 'inadvertently triggering' a fire detector on board during her third day of trials this week.

This resulted in the main propulsion system being shut down, with the ship operating on marine gas oil (MGO) at the time. 

The ship's AIS (Automatic identification system) was undetectable for almost an hour as the vessel floated off the south coast of the Isle of Bute.

It was then met by the crew of tug CMS Boxer, who had made the hour-long trip down the Firth of Clyde.

The incident was a false alarm but the engine shutdown meant that the vessel's main propulsion system was unable to be used and a soft relaunch had to be carried out following checks.

The restart is said to have taken place without any adverse effects and Glen Sannox eventually made her way back to Inchgreen Dry Dock under her own steam. She was spotted attached to two tug vessels as she arrived. 

Upon her return to the Inverclyde dock, assessments of the situation and the fire detection system got underway.

A Ferguson Marine spokesperson said: "Yesterday morning, during day three of owner’s trials, MV Glen Sannox experienced a blackout.

"This was a result of inadvertently triggering a fire detector on board; although a false alarm, it ultimately resulted in the shutdown of the ship’s main propulsion. The ship was operating on MGO at the time.

“Checks of the main engines were undertaken and a soft restart followed. All systems were safely restarted without any adverse effects.  However, trials were temporarily halted.

“As a precaution, tugs were called to assist. The vessel returned to Inchgreen under her own power with a view to assessing the event and the operation of the fire detection system.”

The vessel had reached a major milestone earlier this week after berthing in Brodick, Isle of Arran, for the first time.

The milestone event looked like a light at the end of the tunnel for weary islanders whose lifeline service between Brodick and the mainland has suffered frequent cancellations and delays.

Ferguson Marine have been approached for comment on whether the blackout has had an impact on the ferry's scheduled handover date of mid-October.