Vessel Profile: The former Rathlin Island Ferry Vessel Profile: MV CANNA - niferry.co.uk

Canna Introduction

CANNA was the 7th of 8 island class vehicle and passenger ferries built to operate lifeline services to the Hebrides for Caledonian MacBrayne. The island class design was by Burness Corlett, and based on that of a military landing craft. The vessels are notable for lowering their ramps whilst still approaching the slipway. This is to avoid grounding the shallow-draughted vessel and is possible due to the 2-stage folding action of the ramp itself. When the ramp is deployed only the rearmost section lowers until it contacts the slipway. The front section of the ramp then unfolds allowing vehicles and passengers to disembark.

Canna awaits loading at Ballycastle during May 2016. Copyright © Scott Mackey. — CANNA awaits loading at Ballycastle during May 2016. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

Prior to entering service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, CANNA had a varied career in Scottish waters. She replaced her sister ship BRUERNISH on the Rathlin Island route in April 1997.

In 2017 CANNA was replaced by the purpose-built SPIRIT OF RATHLIN after almost 20 years of unbroken service to Rathlin Island. She is believed to have been sold to one of the ferry operators which operate to Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal, and was pictured at Burtonport during April 2018 undergoing repairs. Former CalMac fleetmates and fellow Island Class ferries RHUM, COLL, and BRUERNISH (which received new Daewoo engines after leaving the CalMac fleet in 2006) also operate the Burtonport to Leabgarrow (Arranmore Island) service.

CANNA at Burtonport undergoing repairs 06/04/18. Copyright © Norman Martin. — **CANNA** at Burtonport undergoing repairs 06/04/18. Copyright © Norman Martin.

**CANNA’s** sister-vessel and former fleet-mate **RHUM** at Burtonport on 06/04/18. Copyright © Norman Martin.

Title image: Courtesy of the Department for Infrastructure (DFI).

Technical Data

Name	CANNA
IMO Number	7340423
Building Yard	James Lamont & Co. Ltd., Port Glasgow (Castle yard)
Hull Number	424
Launched	31^st October 1975
Completed
Owner	Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd
Operator (before leaving NI)	Rathlin Island Ferry (since 1^st July 2008)
In service (original)	29^th January 1978
In service (Rathlin Island)	22^nd April 1997 (for Caledonian MacBrayne)
Call sign (Rathlin Island)	21AE
Length overall	22.5m
Beam	6.4m
Draught	1.4m
Gross Tonnage	69
Machinery (as built)	2 x Bergius Kelvin RS.6 6-Cyl engines producing 150hp @ 1500rpm, each driving twin screws via reverse reduction gearing.
Machinery (current)	2 x Scania D9-93M35 turbocharged 6-cylinder 9-litre diesel engines with 115mm bore and 144m stroke, each developing 189kW/257hp @1900 rpm. Fitted by Timbacraft, Shandon, in November 2000.
Max operational speed (current)	8 Kts
Capacity	140 passengers (summer) 6 cars or 1 HGV
Vehicle deck configuration	Bow loading landing craft (vehicles reverse onto or off the vessel from the slipway).
Onboard Facilities in use	Passenger seating Toilet
Flag (Rathlin Island service)	UK

Photographs

Canna and Rathlin Express. Rathlin Island Ferry Limited.

Canna. Courtesy of the Department for Infrastructure (DFI).

The Rathlin ferry, July 2008. Now on charter to the new operator, the Canna (with the Caledonian MacBrayne name pained out) departs Ballycastle harbour with the morning service to Rathlin. — The Rathlin ferry, July 2008. Now on charter to the new operator, the Canna (with the Caledonian MacBrayne name painted out) departs Ballycastle harbour with the morning service to Rathlin. Albert Bridge [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Rathlin ferry, the Canna now has her new operator's name pained on her hull. — The Rathlin ferry, the Canna now has her new operator’s name painted on her hull. Albert Bridge [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The veteran Rathlin Island vehicle ferry CANNA. She is soon to be replaced by the new purpose-built SPIRIT OF RATHLIN. Copyright © Gary Andrews.

With thanks to Gary Andrews, Scott Mackey, and Norman Martin (from the Scottish Maritime Facebook group) for their contributions.

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