SPECIALIST technicians were last night still trying to solve a problem

which has prevented the latest addition to Caledonian MacBrayne's fleet

from going into service. The #11m Caledonian Isles should have taken up

duty on the Arran service last Friday but a fault developed in her

computer-operated winch system as she was berthing at Ardrossan for her

first scheduled voyage to Brodick. A spokesman for CalMac said last

night: ''It is a technical problem rather than a mechanical one and

specialists are examining it. We hope she will be in service this week,

but we do not yet know when.''

The 300ft ferry, the largest of CalMac's Clyde fleet, can carry 1000

passengers and 120 vehicles. The ferry she was supposed to replace, the

Isle of Arran, is being retained on the route meantime.