ONE of the fiasco ferries at Ferguson Marine has missed a major milestone after bad weather forced bosses to call off a planned trip to a dry dock.

MV Glen Sannox was due to be moved from her mooring outside the Port Glasgow shipyard to Dales Marine shipyard in Greenock for works today, but high winds prevented the overdue and overbudget vessel from making the journey.

The setback means that the dry dock work will now take place just before the ferry is due to be handed over in March next year, with harbour trials due to get under way in January.

Tugs were dispatched to help the ferry make the short trip under her own propulsion to Dales Marine, however the weather conditions meant that the move was called off. 

Glen Sannox and her sister vessel Hull 802, now named Glen Rosa, were due to be ready by 2018.

READ MORE: CMAL of Port Glasgow announce names for two new ferries

Latest estimates suggest the cost of delivering the two vessels could be more than quadruple the original £97m contract which was awarded in 2015, when the yard was led by businessman Jim McColl.

The Port Glasgow yard was taken over by the Scottish Government four years ago after its financial collapse under the control of Mr McColl.

Glen Sannox is finally due to be handed over to CalMac in March next year, while her sister ship is set to be launched in the same month.

A spokesperson for Ferguson Marine said: “Glen Sannox was unable to move to dry dock today as planned, due to strong winds.

“The ship was due to make the short trip under her own propulsion with bow and stern thrusters – and with tugs in attendance, one with lines attached, and we are disappointed that this milestone has been deferred.

“We expect to progress as planned with the trials programme in January.

“Glen Sannox will now make the trip to dry dock after the trials are complete, and just before handover in March 2024.”