FERRY passengers may face delays and disruption this summer as CalMac struggles to keep ageing vessels running.

The operator is preparing for what it believes will be its busiest tourist season on record.

However, interim managing director Robbie Drummond says older boats may struggle under the “strain”.

Last year more than five million people, almost 1.5 million cars and 80,000 coaches used the network.

Eight of CalMac’s 30-strong fleet have been sailing for more than three decades, with the average age of all carriers topping 20 years, and the company says problems with one ferry could create disruption on other routes.

Vessels may have to be redeployed or diverted elsewhere to cover any shortage.

The company covers almost 50 routes and around the same number of ports between Arran, its most southerly stop, and Lewis at its nothernmost point.

The MV Hebridean Isles has currently been taken off the Islay run while sister vessel the MV Clansman awaits the return of parts being repaired in Denmark.

Drummond said: “We ask a lot of our fleet, and indeed our people, at the busiest time of year on our network.

“I know everyone here is ready and eagerly anticipating another successful summer season, but I am also very conscious of the workload our boats will be undertaking and the strain that puts them under, particularly the older vessels in the fleet, eight of which are more than 30 years old.”

A company spokesperson added: “The working life expectancy of a ferry deployed on routes like those on Scotland’s western seaboard is around 25 years, so with nearly half of the ferries working these routes already beyond that milestone – and having been used intensively during those years of service – the risk of mechanical failures and breakdown is significant.

“It also takes longer to get older boats back into service when things do go wrong, often due to the difficulty in sourcing parts across Europe.”