This report is a good opportunity to acknowledge the huge effort and the personal sacrifice of staff and crew during the COVID19 pandemic to support essential travel.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 15 November 2022, Col 7 It also provides an opportunity to make clear that the threatening behaviour of a small number of passengers towards ferry staff is completely unacceptable.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 15 November 2022, Col 6 and 7, and written submission from the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland and Yell Community Council CalMac and NorthLink described processes to protect staff, including a zero-tolerance policy for violent and aggressive behaviour.iiiLetter from CalMac to Committee in advance of evidence session - 31 January 2023 and Letter from NorthLink to Committee in advance of evidence session - 30 January 2023
Staffing issues have sometimes caused delay or cancellation, but were not raised during the inquiry as a major cause of unreliable ferry services, particularly in a post-pandemic context.iWhere COVID or other illnesses rendered a sailing impossible due to lack of staff, it was suggested contingency staffing arrangements should have been made to facilitate the service.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 June 2022, Col 7 and written submissions including from Krystyna Manson, Euan Haig, Jean Mary...