OPERATORS of a problem-plagued Inverclyde ferry service are under fire after cancellations entered a second week.

The 13-minute Gourock to Kilcreggan crossings have been off for no fewer than eight days due to an engine fault with the Island Princess, the only vessel plying the route.

Passengers have instead been faced with a 90-minute replacement bus journey since the boat was withdrawn last Monday.

Bosses from operators Clydelink say that sailings should resume today but the latest round of cancellations has sparked calls for an inquiry.

Gourock councillor Chris McEleny, who chairs the Clyde Ferry Users’ Group, has written to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) about ongoing problems with the service.

SPT renewed the contract with Clydelink until 2018 earlier this year.

Cllr McEleny said: “The passengers that use the ferry on a daily basis have had enough.

“They have real concerns about the suitability of the vessel and it seems that their concerns are not being listened to.

“I have requested a meeting with the chief executive of SPT to make sure he is under no doubt regarding the concerns.”

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) officials recently found a series of faults with the vessel.

Island Princess could not sail for seven days last month after MCA inspectors discovered 30 problems.

Faults included no evidence of basic safety training, a main fire pump not working, expired fire extinguishers and a fire pump pipe that was corroded at the base.

The standard of spoken English of the crew was said to be ‘inadequate to cope with an emergency’, there was no service history aboard of three gas inflation lifejackets, and no anchor chain.

The port engine was missing a shaft guard, there was an exhaust leak at the port engine and ‘excessive water leaks’ at the port/starboard shafts.

Non-slip treads were missing from the exterior steps, and the starboard lifebuoy light in the upper deck didn’t work.

The faults have since been rectified, but Labour MSP Jackie Baillie has today called for a back-up ferry to be introduced urgently - and for action to be taken against the operators.

Ms Baillie said: “I believe that Clydelink is in breach of contract for failing to deliver a reliable service.

“It is time for SPT to get a grip of the situation and take action against the operator.

“They should then use any fines they recover from Clydelink and savings from the contract to secure a back-up vessel.”

Green MSP Ross Greer also waded into the row.

He said: “I’ve written to SPT to ask that they take action to ensure that current problems are resolved so that local people can once more rely on the service, and not fear being left at Gourock staring at a cancelled ferry and a long journey home.”

A Clydelink spokesman said: “We fully anticipate being back up and running today.

“She has had to have her engine replaced and it’s not been as straightforward as we had hoped.”

A spokesperson for SPT said: “We have been advised by the operator that the ferry hopes to be running again today.

“The most recent disruption was caused by the engine of the ferry being irreparably damaged when the propeller was damaged by debris in the middle of the estuary which necessitated the replacement of the engine.

“An alternative bus service is being provided for passengers as despite attempts by the operator to secure an alternative vessel they have been unsuccessful in doing so.”