CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited)

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. 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 … Read more