FERGUSON MARINE bosses say that final sea trials on the seven-year delayed MV Glen Sannox have been successful, with a handover date to be confirmed shortly.
The Tele revealed earlier this week that the vessel had headed out on unexpected sea trials earlier this week, ahead of a possible handover date this month.
And shipyard bosses were pleased to confirm that these trials, that tested the MV Glen Sannox's replacement anchor windlass gypsies were completed successfully.
No other trials are planned before the vessel is handed over to CMAL.
A Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) spokesperson said: “Trials on Wednesday, October 23 for MV Glen Sannox were successful.
"The temporary replacement anchor windlass gypsies were tested and performed well. Other tests consisted of working through the vessel’s modes of operation, both at sea and quayside at Inchgreen.
“No further sea trials are planned. We will be in a position to confirm a handover date shortly.”
These trials were necessary after the ship experienced a 'blackout' whilst out on trials earlier this month, in the confines of Loch Fyne on October 3, this resulted in an immediate postponement of trials for the rest of that week, before being confirmed as completed seven days later on October 10.
The disruption caused by the 'blackout' meant that an estimated mid-October handover date was pushed back again, with a new date not having since been confirmed.
It was then confirmed that problems had been detected within the ship's anchoring system, which have now been resolved.
Bosses now hope to be able to complete the final stage of the handover process, that'll see the Maritime and Coastguard Agency sign off on a passenger safety certificate right before the vessel leaves Fergusons' ownership and is passed into the hands of the Scottish Government's Ferry Procurement Body, CMAL.
The move will be seen as a major milestone for staff at the Port Glasgow shipyard - who've been thrust under the spotlight in recent years as a result of the project running £96million overbudget and experiencing major delays as a result of supply chain issues and other external factors.
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