THE first of two overdue ferries was finally delivered today by the scandal-hit Ferguson Marine yard - exactly seven years on from a humiliating fake launch by Nicola Sturgeon. MV Glen Sannox, which will serve the Arran route, was officially handed over to the Scottish Government’s ferries agency, CMAL, after being hit by multiple delays and spiralling costs. Advertisement 3 The Glen Sannox was finally delivered today Credit: © Michael McGurk 2024 3 It was due to be in service by 2018 but its costs have since piled up to £400million Credit: © Michael McGurk 2024 3 It arrived on the same day it was launched by Nicola Sturgeon seven years ago It came on the same day that the vessel was “launched” by then-First Minister Ms Sturgeon at the yard in 2017, at which fake windows were painted on to make it appear closer to completion than it was.
The Glen Sannox was due to be in service in 2018 - but costs for the vessel and a second ferry, the Glen Rosa , have spiralled from £97million to around £400million. However, John Petticrew, interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine , said the handover of the ferry on Thursday marked a “proud occasion” for everyone at the yard. He added: “Glen Sannox is a fine vessel, well capable of providing decades of service for islanders and visitors.
Advertisement READ MORE ON THE SCOTTISH SUN ICE STORM Storm Bert 'danger to life' warning with heavy snow, freezing rain & 70mph wind JAILS CRISIS Ministers in talks to deport 600 foreign .
