|
NEWS BULLETIN - May
2008
|
|
May 22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NORTH WESTERN SHIP REPAIRERS - CAMMELL
LAIRD
Shipyard group Northwest Shiprepairers and
Shipbuilders (NSL) has started recruiting foreign workers to plug a
skills gap.
The Birkenhead yard, which will shortly return
to trading under the Cammell Laird name, has traditionally been able to
rely on a supply
of skilled shipyard workers from the local
community, but that appears to be changing.
Many of the town's shipyard workers are near
retirement age and this, coupled with a boom in orders, is posing a
serious challenge. Many skilled workers left the area when the former
Cammell Laird closed in 2001.
NSL, owned by former Cammell Laird managing
director John Syvret, has already moved to establish a new
apprenticeship programme and has been recruiting from Poland to meet
demand.
News of the skills shortage came as the company
unveiled a record turnover of more than £41m for last year.
In NSL's latest accounts, Mr Syvret stated:
"There is a local and national shortage for skilled tradesmen and
management. While the company has been able to manage growth, that is
becoming increasingly more difficult.
"In addition, a large percentage of the white
and blue collar workforce are at or near retirement age and it is
becoming increas-ingly difficult to replace them with people of similar
experience. That is why the company has been recruiting from overseas
and recruiting apprentices."
However, he emphasised that there was no
question that contracts would not be fulfilled. He said: "There is no
question mark over delivering our contractual obligations. In times of
peak demand we have used agencies to recruit foreign workers but this is
a short- term solution. We are committed to training local people and in
partnership with the Maritime and Engineering College are launching an
apprentices programme."
He said 17 young people would be taken on in
June with more in the future.
Earlier this year, Mr Syvret said his shipyard
would like to be involved in Ministry of Defence contracts for new
aircraft carriers. He added: "If the MoD rang and asked if we could
build an aircraft carrier, we would find it a challenge, so would
anyone.
"All I will say is we would never take on a
contract we could not fulfil."
In January, NSL revealed a £28m MoD contract
expected to secure up to 350 jobs.
[DAILY POST]
ROYAL NAVY
The Ministry of Defence announced
on May 20 today it would gave industry the green light
that it was ready to go-ahead with contract signature
for the two new super aircraft carriers. Industry is
now expected to press ahead with forming the joint
venture company that will help build the carriers.
The carriers, to be named HMS
QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES, will be the
biggest and most powerful surface warships ever
constructed in the UK. Once they enter service in 2014
and 2016 respectively they are expected to remain in the
fleet for up to fifty years.
Secretary of State for Defence,
Des Browne said:
“The two aircraft carriers will provide our front
line forces with the modern, world-class capabilities
they will need over the coming decades. They will
support peace-keeping and conflict prevention as well as
our strategic operational priorities.
“This is an important day
for the project and I am delighted that we are moving
closer to signing the contracts for the manufacture of
the carriers.”
Minister for Defence Equipment
and Support, Baroness Taylor, said:
“Today’s confirmation that we are proceeding with
the two aircraft carriers underlines our commitment to
both the Royal Navy and to the UK shipbuilding industry.
We are investing about £14bn in the Navy and in the
maritime industry over the next ten to fifteen years.
The future carriers will provide an important military
capability and will sustain many jobs - around 10,000 at
the peak of production.”
First Sea Lord and Chief of the
Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said:
“I am of course delighted with today’s news which,
when the Joint Venture is formed, will enable the
Ministry of Defence and industry to sign the contract
for the two new aircraft carriers. These ships with
their aircraft will transform the UK’s defence
capabilities when they enter service, delivering air
power in support of the full range of future operations
at sea, in the air and on land.”
SEATRUCK FERRIES
Seatruck have announced an increase in capacity
on their Irish Sea services
DUBLIN - LIVERPOOL
From June 05/06 TRIUMPH, sister ship to the CHALLENGE
will be deployed on the Liverpool - Dublin route along with her sister
prior to the arrival of the new build late summer
Unlike the CELTIC STAR the TRIUMPH and CHALLENGE have
no free height restrictions so a much wider range of high tautliners,
fridges and double decks can be accommodated.
The CELTIC STAR will leave the Seatruck Dublin route
on Friday May 23.
For a two week period the 65 unit WEST EXPRESS will
act as a replacement vessel prior to the arrival of the TRIUMPH. There
will be some schedule alterations during this short cover period with
the WEST EXPRESS.
WARRENPOINT - HEYSHAM
On the Warrenpoint service additional capacity will
be added from June 05/06 as the WEST EXPRESS will replace
the smaller LYGRA from this date. The WEST EXPRESS will provide 35 extra
spaces per day in each direction. |
|
May 21 |
Acknowledgements: Gary
Andrews, Ian Collard, Justin Merrigan - Incat, Harry Cragall, and "others". |
IRISH FERRIES
ULYSSES missed its
02:40 ex Holyhead and 08:05 ex Dublin sailings on Tuesday May 20 due
technical difficulties which are believed to have been a propellor being
fouled by a a mooring rope at Holyhead.
With ULYSSES stuck
in Holyhead, the crew for the JONATHAN SWIFT, who live on board ULYSSES
were not available for the 08:45 sailing from Dublin. The JONATHAN SWIFT
crossed light to HOLYHEAD to pick them up and take the 12:00 sailing to
Dublin.
ULYSSES crossed to
Dublin in the early afternoon and resumed her sailings with the 20:55
from Dublin.
ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY
The company have confirmed that following the visit of its
representatives to Tasmania, which was reported recently, they have
purchased INCAT 50.
The following press release was issue on May 19,
2008:
The ship, currently known as Incat 050,
will replace our existing fast craft Viking and serve
primarily the seasonal Liverpool –
Douglas route. The 96 metre wave piercing catamaran will be the largest
vessel of its type in the Irish Sea and will significantly enhance the
service the Company can offer due to its faster cruising speed, greater
vehicle and passenger capacity, freight backup capacity and increased
levels of passenger comfort.
Chief Executive, Mark Woodward said: “The purchase is a real step
forward for the Company and represents a significant investment, with a
total project cost approaching £20 million. Over the past few years, we
have looked at a number of possible vessels and we believe we have found
the craft that most ideally meets our requirements for a versatile, high
capacity vessel which is capable of serving our passengers expectations
for increased comfort and reliability.”
A higher operational wave limit will provide improved sea-keeping
capability and its capacity to carry larger vehicles such as lorries and
coaches will give the vessel far greater flexibility to meet the needs
of the Isle of Man as well as providing additional cover for our Ropax
vessel Ben-my-Chree.
Mark said: “The new ship will increase our capacity substantially.
As well as comfortably exceeding the Company’s investment obligations
under the User Agreement with the Isle of Man Government, it also
reinforces the Company’s commitment to provide the highest quality
service to the Manx community.”
In line with the company’s strategy of improving customer service, the
new vessel will have more space dedicated to passengers, and a wider
range of facilities. The Company plans an extensive refit of the vessel
and will extend the passenger accommodation before re-branding and
giving it a new Manx name. It will be incorporated into the Company’s
existing fleet for the beginning of the summer 2009 season.
Incat 050 was built in Tasmania in
1998 and after a short period of commercial service in Australia & New
Zealand, was chartered to the US Military for evaluation purposes in
2001. Because of its most recent use, it has significantly less hours of
service than a vessel of
comparable age, and is ideally suited for the substantial refit proposed
to provide passengers with the best quality and up to date facilities
which will equal or better anything found on similar vessels operating
around the British Isles.
Incat 050 vs Viking
|
|
Incat 050 |
Viking |
|
Passenger Capacity |
800+ |
690 |
|
Vehicle Capacity |
200+ |
150 |
|
Freight Capacity |
225+ lane metres |
- |
|
Wave Height Restriction |
3.5m |
3.0m |
|
Service Speed |
35 knots |
32 knots |
Below is a preview of the vessel in full Isle of Man
Steam Packet Company livery and showing how she will appear the after the fitting of the additional passenger accommodation and dummy
funnels. INCAT 50 is without doubt of striking appearance and her debut
next season will be awaited with great anticipation as will be the
announcement of her name.
MERCHANT BRILLIANT - has been chartered for TT
Practice Week from Tuesday May 27 until Saturday May 31. She has also
been chartered on Monday June 09, to assist with returning fairground
traffice
Chief Executive Mark Woodward explained: “Although the additional
freighter will be surplus to requirements in terms of capacity, it will
provide additional resilience and improved service for our freight
customers during this busy time. She will also free up additional
vehicle deck space on Ben-my-Chree for any late bookings passengers that
want to travel.”
Merchant Brilliant was built in 1979 and has capacity for 1,200 lane
metres of freight. She is chartered from Norfolk Line, but has recently
been operating with P&O and is expected to recommence the
Belfast/Heysham service after the TT. |
|
May 18 |
Acknowledgements: Gary
Andrews, Pugwash, Ian Collard, and "others". |
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
ROYAL PRINCESS - became the largest cruise ship
to visit Dartmouth, Devon on May 12.
CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL
The Windermere Car Ferry service was
temporarily suspended on Wednesday May 14 for several hours for annual
cable change to take place.
The morning services stopped after 9:00 with the vessel MALLARD,
back in service before 17:00.
PEEL HOLDINGS
Peel Holdings has received planning permission for the initial
phase of its £4.5bn blueprint to regenerate the Birkenhead docklands.
The company is to turn the town's landmark Central Hydraulic Tower
into a £12m hotel and restaurant complex, with the addition of a huge
glazed frontage.
Wirral Council has given backing for the scheme which would change
the face of Birkenhead over the next 30 years.
Peel says it is pleased with the planning approval. Spokesman
Richard Mawdsley said: "This is a great opportunity to transform a
derelict but historic property and provide new amenities in the local
area. We look forward to continuing to work with Wirral Council and
other partners to deliver additional exciting developments that we have
planned within the Wirral Waters masterplan".
The hydraulic tower will be partly demolished, refurbished and
extended, to be converted into a four- storey, 10,000 sq ft hotel and
restaurant with glazed outlook.
Built in 1868 by Albert Dock designer Jesse Hartley, the tower
formerly provided hydraulic power for the lock gates and swing bridges.
During the Second World War it was bombed and has since fallen
into a state of disrepair, although remaining a familiar landmark.
Peel has worked closely with conservation officers, planners at
Wirral Council and heritage partners to bring the Tower back to its
former glory. The £12m scheme is the first project in the transformation
of the area by Peel's Wirral Waters £4.5bn waterfront regeneration
scheme.
[DAILY POST]
SEATRUCK FERRIES
WEST EXPRESS (ex MERCHANT BRAVERY) went on charter to Seatruck
from Friday morning to provide cover for
CLIPPER POINT which arrived on
Merseyside on Saturday for repairs to her bulbous bow and stern door.
The work could take up to two weeks.
Newbuilds CLIPPER PENNANT and CLIPPER PACE are to enter drydock in
Cadiz for hull painting for up to 4 weeks, therefore, a July delivery
for the next of the new builds looks unlikely.
RIVERDANCE - Salvage workers had to be evacuated from the stricken
vessel early on Saturday morning when fire broke out on the vehicle
deck. Two tractor units on board the vessel were believed to have caught
fire as cutting equipment was in operation.
All the workers were evacuated to the promenade at around 04:20,
followed shortly after by the fire brigade due to the rising tide.
There were no reports of any injuries.
STENA LINE
VOLUME GROWTH FOR STENA LINE’S BRITISH BUSINESS
Car and passenger numbers experienced "healthy
growth" on Stena Line’s routes between the UK, Holland and Ireland in
the first quarter of 2008, the company says. Passenger numbers rose by
13%t on the Irish Sea and 18% on the North Sea with vehicle numbers
rising by 14% on the Irish Sea and five per cent on the North Sea
respectively. "We’re delighted with such a strong start to the year,
although these figures include Easter this year.
I think that the major investments in vessels,
terminal facilities and onboard environments that we have made recently
can be viewed as a contributing factor in this success but another
reason for this increase is that many people prioritise comfort and
flexibility ahead of the long queues associated with air travel," says
Stena Line’s CEO Gunnar Blomdahl.
The Swedish privately owned Stena Line offers
over 30 crossings between the UK and Ireland per day and two crossings
daily between the UK and Holland, making it a top player in the UK ferry
scene. Looking ahead, he continues:
"The Irish Sea is looking ahead to a good
summer with its redesigned Hotel Breaks to Ireland programme and a brand
new state-of-the-art terminal in Belfast which launched this month."
Source :
[Maritime Global Net]
SWANSEA - CORK FERRIES
The new Taoiseach
and his freshly-installed cabinet will get a crash course in the plight
suffered by West Cork business people and English tourists alike since
the controversial removal of the Swansea - Cork ferry service.
The founders of a
new campaign and online petition vow to bring Ireland’s Prime Minister
Brian Cowen — sworn in just last week — and two of his Cork-based
cabinet ministers the facts about the negative effects the closure is
having on tourism to the region.
Co-founder of
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
John Hosford told The Irish Post this week: "At the moment the estimated
yearly loss to the West Cork region is €37million.
"We have lost out
massively through the closure of what was a vital link to this part of
the country for both business and social tourism.
"Access is the key
thing and people do not have it here — so we will be writing to the new
Taoiseach and the two cabinet ministers based in the county — Batt
O’Keeffe and Micheál Martin — who we would hope would recognise how
badly needed a return of this service is."
The website was the
brainchild of Adrian Brentnall of Inspired Glass — which creates stained
glass and fused glass to sell at open-air markets and craft fairs much
of which relies on the western Cork tourist market — and Mr Hosford of
the Hosfords Garden Centre which offers a monthly farmer/craft market in
the same area.
They are determined
to press ministers, authorities and the people at Swansea Cork Ferries
to reinstate the ‘vital transport link’ which was due to return in
January but has yet to materialise.
Some 205 people are
already signed up to their petition to restore the ferry service
including a Dorset-based woman who states: "Travelling from Dorset to
visit West Cork, which we do every year, is now problematic — we drive
more miles and need to stay somewhere overnight.
"It was far more
enjoyable and relaxed on the SwanseaCork ferry but driving across
Southern Ireland is no fun and not good for their environment — please
bring it back!"
Such stories have
seen a drastic drop in the numbers the once-thriving tourist area used
to attract since the service was suspended in autumn 2006.
Consequently local
traders and business-people now find it hard to make ends meet as Roisin
McCarthy a trader at the Schull County Market in West Cork, explains:
"Local businesses who have spent years steadily building up their
restaurants, B&Bs and hotels are now faced with a dire situation.
"West Cork is still
very much ‘open for business’ but we can only survive so long without
the necessary visitors."
Mr Hosford added:
"We will keep fighting to bring about a speedy return of this service
and welcome the support of everyone on both sides of the water to
support us."
For more
information about or to sign up to the online petition visit
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
[Irish Post] |
|
May 12 |
Acknowledgements: Gary
Andrews, John Thomas, Bernard Corbett, Ian Collard, and "others". |
|
WAVERLEY STEAM NAVIGATION
COMPANY The company has issued the following statement
concerning the revised timetables reported in yesterdays News Bulletin:
Following a successful Bank Holiday weekend
sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland, Paddle Steamer Waverley has
entered a Clyde shipyard to undergo annual maintenance. It has been
discovered that detailed work will be required on the shaft which drives
the Ship's famous paddles.
The ship was originally expected to be two weeks in the yard but this
has now been slightly extended.
Operations Director Ian McMillan said 'Waverley is in a shipyard at
Greenock with a great Scottish tradition and everyone will be working
hard to get her ready for her summer sailings.
Waverley - the last seagoing Paddle Steamer in the World, was rebuilt in
2003 with a Heritage Lottery Grant and restored to her original glory.
Waverley's summer season will start on the Clyde on June 13 sailing to
the Lochs and Islands of the West Coast of Scotland before she moves to
the South Coast and Thames, returning to the Clyde in October.
The spring sailings will go ahead in the Bristol Channel as planned
though some midweek sailings will be postponed. Waverley's consort
Balmoral will carry out the popular sailings.
Balmoral will also sail from Barrow, Whitehaven and Garlieston to the
Isle of Man from May 29 until June 1, then visit the South Coast,
Thames, North Wales & Liverpool, and the Bristol Channel before
following the QE2 on her farewell tour of Britain.
Kathleen O'Neill, Commercial Director said 'We look forward to welcoming
our passengers on board Balmoral for the sailings in the Bristol
Channel. We would like to invite those passengers whose cruise is no
longer running as scheduled to choose another sailing from our programme
of cruises and travel at no extra cost - even if it is a more expensive
cruise.'
|
|
May 11 |
Acknowledgements: Gary
Andrews, Adrian Sweeney, Peter Langley, Ian Collard, Harry Cragall,
Jenny Williamson and "others". |
|
CELTIC LINK FERRIES
It appears that the future of the former
P&O service between Rosslare and Cherbourg which is operated by Celtic
Link Ferries may be in doubt due to rising fuel prices.
The "Farmers'
Journal" reports that an 18% increase in the cost of the ferry between
Rosslare and Cherbourg
blamed on rising
oil prices is putting the future of live exports at serious risk. That
is according to two of the leading weanling exporters in the country,
C&P Collins and Viastar Livestock.
Both exporters have
expressed serious concern over the recent move by Celtic Link to
increase the price of a return crossing on their Diplomat ferry by 18%,
or €500. The price increase which applies from next week will see live
exporters having to pay €3,180 per return crossing for an articulated
lorry and €3,500 for a lorry and trailer.
In a letter sent
out to livestock hauliers Celtic link cited rising fuel costs are the
main reason behind the price increase, which will come into effect from
May 13.
The shipping
company also warned that the DIPLOMAT, which is the only ferry licensed
to carry livestock between Ireland and France may be re-deployed to an
alternative route or even into the charter market where rates are now
more attractive.
Should this action
be taken it would effectively shut down the Irish live export market, as
the only route out of the country would be via Dover. This would involve
having to transit to Larne and then from Stranraer down through Scotland
and England.
Exporting an average of nine loads of weanlings
per week, Paul Collins of C&P Collins has warned that the hike in the
cost of the ferry crossing will put further pressure on margins at a
time when trading conditions are already extremely difficult.
According to Collins, when marts' fees,
transport, levies and ferry costs are all included, it will now cost
from €170 to €180 per head to export a weanling from Ireland to Italy.
At these prices Collins argues that he will
simply no longer be in a position to compete with French exporters who
can move weanlings from France into Italy for less than €50 per head.
James Mallon from Viastar livestock also warned
that rising transport costs were putting extreme pressure on the live
export trade. Mallon said that with the cost of the ferry increasing to
€3,300-€3,500, Irish weanlings were immediately at a €50-60 per
head disadvantage compared to French weanlings.
The Kells-based exporter said "while it costs
€3,000 to transport a container load of beef from Ireland to Italy, it
now costs in excess of €8,000 to transport a load of weanlings the same
distance - we simply cannot afford to carry any more costs''.
According to the managing director of Celtic
Link, Paul Tyrell, the increase in the price of the ferry crossing is
due to rising fuel costs. [FARMERS' JOURNAL]
ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORT
DOUGLAS
HARBOUR
MARCH 2008
HARBOUR TRAFFIC
Total harbour traffic (including IoMSPCo passengers
and vehicles, cruise vessels, etc):
|
|
March |
Year to
Date |
|
|
Passengers |
Vehicles |
Passengers |
Vehicles |
|
2008 |
41,818 |
11,708 |
80,926 |
25,400 |
|
2007 |
29,220 |
9,687 |
70,136 |
23,004 |
|
%change |
+43.1% |
+20.9% |
+15.4% |
+10.4 |
IoMSPCo
passenger route performance:
|
Route |
%change |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Heysham |
Plus 23% |
18,420 |
22,580 |
|
Liverpool/Birkenhead |
Plus 67% |
9,786 |
16,351 |
|
Belfast |
All plus |
Nil |
1,616 |
|
Dublin |
All plus |
Nil |
267 |
Director of Harbours, Captain Michael Brew comments:
“The early Easter has contributed to excellent
passenger figures for March 2008. The challenge will be to maintain
this growth in a very competitive market.”
ISLE OF MAN STEAM
PACKET COMPANY
SNAEFELL
departed from her Alexandra Dock berth on Sunday May 11 and proceed to
Prince's Landing Stage before departing to the Isle of Man mid
afternoon.
She is due to enter
service on the 07:30 Douglas to Liverpool sailing on May 12
With her new livery and new name, SNAEFELL, formerly
[SEACAT ISLE OF MAN / SEA EXPRESS I] completes the Company’s major
re-branding exercise that has seen all three vessels refurbished over
the winter and spring.
Chief
Executive Mark Woodward said: “We launched the revamped design earlier
this year, but this is the first time since then that we’ll have had all
three vessels in service together. To look down from Douglas Head and
see the three of them lined up together, preparing to sail in their new
livery, is a fantastic sight.
“We
feel the new logo design and livery is a return to the Company’s Manx
roots and this was a major factor in the final decision. It is vital
that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, as the Island’s number one
tourist carrier, projects a positive image for the Island.”
The 74m Incat SNAEFELL is the sixth ship to bear the name
in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s 178-year history. The previous
SNAEFELL (V), which entered service in 1948, was built by Cammell Laird
and remained in service until withdrawal in 1977.
VIKING - prompt action by the crew on Friday evening
saved a man who was seen struggling in the Mersey close to the landing
stage. A 48 year old male was seen hanging from a set of chains. He was
rescued from one of the emergency boats carried on board the ship. The
man, who was taken to hospital, is believed to be known to the police.
TIDAL
DISRUPTION
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company announced
this week that certain BEN-MY-CHREE sailings may be affected by
restricted water depths at the entrance to Heysham Port and prevailing
tidal conditions. The Port of Heysham is becoming increasingly subject
to tidal restrictions, and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is
working closely with Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (owners of the
Port of Heysham) in an effort to improve the situation.
Sailings that may be affected by low water are
as follows:
Sunday 11 May
12:15 arrival at Heysham - anticipated arrival
at 12:45.
Monday 12 May
12:15 arrival at Heysham - anticipated arrival
at 14:00. As a consequence the 14:15 and the 19:45 sailings could be
delayed by approximately 60 minutes.
Tuesday 13 May
The 08:45 departure will depart at 08:15
arriving Heysham at 12:00. Foot passengers are requested to check in by
08:00 and vehicle passengers are requested to check in by 07:45.
The 14:15 sailing from Heysham may be delayed
until approximately 15:00.
Wednesday 14 May
The 14:15 sailing may be delayed until
approximately 16:00 with an arrival at Douglas at 19:30. As a
consequence, the 19:45 may depart at approximately 20:30 arriving at
Heysham at midnight.
All sailing times given are approximate as
tidal conditions may be affected by local weather conditions and
barometric conditions on the day. Unless otherwise specified, passengers
are requested to check in as normal, as every effort will be made to
sail as near to schedule as possible.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS FEDERATION
The International Transport Federation has
described as 'appalling' conditions aboard the LADY CHIARA
which arrived at the Ringaskiddy terminal at Cork harbour on Saturday
morning.
The ITF inspector in Ireland, Ken Fleming, went
aboard with SIPTU officials from Cork and said that there was such
insufficient food that the union had to take members of the crew off to
feed them in a local restaurant.
Port workers have agreed to discharge the cargo
of molasses aboard provided that the ship is properly provisioned for
the crew and that wage and payment problems aboard are resolved.
The ITF inspector has called on the Department
of the Marine port control authorities to inspect the ship.
Ken Fleming said the Filipino seafarers had not
been provided with adequate food for a fortnight but the officers seemed
to be looking after themselves.
The ship is registered in Liberia. The owners
have so far not been identified.
KNOTT END FERRY
The Fleetwood to Knott End ferry has been dealt
another blow. Council bosses halted the service at the weekend as
essential safety work was needed on the jetty at the Fleetwood side of
the river.
It is the latest problem to beset the ferry
service operated by the WYRE ROSE – following a series of breakdowns
soon after its arrival on the river in 2006.
The prospect of a bumper May Bank Holiday was
wiped out when possible problems were spotted with one of the piles
which supports the jetty.
And Wyre Council officers are unsure when the
service will be back. In the meantime a replacement bus service is in
operation.
Principal engineer Carl Green, said: "The
council was alerted to a potential problem with the jetty and took the
immediate decision to close the ferry dock as a safety precaution.
"The problem is linked to a small length of
supporting pile on the jetty and as a result a contractor is currently
undertaking repair work at the site.
"It is our hope the required work will be
completed as soon as possible and the ferry service will be operational
again at the earliest opportunity."
Ian Drury of Wyre Marine, which operates the
WYRE ROSE for the council, said: "We were getting ready for a good Bank
Holiday and Wyre Council requested we stop the service."
The £350,000 vessel was tied-up for most of
2006 with mechanical problems and delays in crew training.
But it bounced back last year. It had an
excellent summer season with around 60,000 people using the service.
It proved so popular an hourly winter service
was launched. The ferry cuts the 40-minute round-trip bus journey to
just a few minutes. [BLACKPOOL
GAZETTE]
POLICE
A new police boat able to take underwater scans of
other vessels and equipped with a remote controlled vehicle to help
divers was unveiled in Liverpool’s Albert Dock. The Consortium will be
used by Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
and North Wales police forces. It is a converted
Swift Trawler 42,
and is the first one of its kind in the UK to be used by police.
The Rev John Williams, chaplain of the Naval Reserve
at HMS Eaglet, said prayers over the boat, which was then officially
named Consortium and christened with Champagne by Judith Greensmith, the
High Sheriff of Merseyside. It will be used by the specialist Underwater
Search & Marine Unit and has been designed for high-visibility patrols
as part of the National Mari-time Security Strategy.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside
Police and ACPO lead on National Maritime Security Strategy, said: “The
consortium of forces are very proud to take possession of this boat. “It
is the first of this kind in the UK to be used specifically for policing
the maritime environment. It will contribute to the government's
strategy to secure maritime interests, making them less attractive to
criminality and terrorism. “We want it to become part of the river
community.”
[Maritime
Clippings]
A short film of the
vessel and the naming ceremony can be found on the Merseyside Police web
site. [CLICK
HERE]
SEATRUCK FERRIES
RIVERDANCE -
Heysham-based Hancock's
Contractors Ltd say the first phase of work is underway with cargo being
takenfrom inside the ship on the beach at Anchorsholme, near Cleveleys.
Workers say removal of unnecessary parts will help
to remove weight and stabilise the ship and create room to work on
dismantling the vessel from the inside out. That process is expected to
continue for around four or five weeks until the ship has been gutted
inside.
Workers will then be able to begin cutting away
the outside from the top down. A worker on site said: "All we're doing
now is taking out the funnel and removing a lot of unnecessary weight.
"We've cut handrails off the top of the ship which
were causing a danger. "Inside we have just been making safe access,
taking trailers off and unloading cargo. "We'll be doing that for around
four or five weeks." [MARITIME CLIPPINGS]
STENA LINE
STENA
VOYAGER services moved to
Belfast's
Victoria Terminal 4 as planned on May 07, however, the STENA CALEDONIA continues to
operate from their old terminal for now. MERSEY MAMMOTH assisted in
removing the old linkspan which has been put into storage along with the
remaining span from Harwich - Hoek service.
STENA
LYNX
III -
Thirteen doctors on a golf trip to Ireland
dramatically saved a man suffering from a heart attack on a ferry
crossing.
The man was travelling across the Irish Sea
from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare in Wexford on the STENA LYNX III on
Wednesday when he fell ill.
The boat's captain made an emergency request on
the vessel's tannoy system calling for a doctor to come to the man's
aid.
Thirteen doctors responded to the call – they
were travelling together to the Ireland on a golf holiday.
One passenger on the ship said that they were
amazed when the 13 doctors arrived on the scene, rushing to the aid of
the man with a heart attack.
They tended to the heart attack man until the
ferry docked in Wexford. The man was then transferred to Wexford General
Hospital. [Irish Independent]
HSS STENA DISCOVERY - There are rumours doing the
rounds that at least two Mediterannean buyers have shown an interest in
buying the laid up former Harwich - Hoek vessel which has been laid up
at
Belfast since her withdrawal from service in 2007.
STENA ADVENTURER with the ship conveying foot passengers on day time
sailings between Dublin and Holyhead from July speculation is growing as
to the future of the HSS STENA EXPLORER with various rumours suggesting
that the Holyhead - Dún Laoghaire service may go seasonal or be switched
to operation by STENA LYNX III. With fuel prices continuing to rise the
future of the remaining HSS services can hardly be certain.
WAVERLEY STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY
It would appear that there are significant
schedule changes which will effect advertised sailings of BALMORAL and
WAVERLEY during the early part of the season
The changes apparent from the revised timetables
on the Waverley Excursions web site indicate
that WAVERLEY is out of service until mid to late June, however, at the
time of compiling this news bulletin [Sunday May 11] no official
announcement has been made by the company. WAVERLEY had been due to dry
dock this week following her May Bank Holiday programme.
The effected areas are mainly the Bristol Channel
and Irish Sea, with Waverley's busy early season on the Bristol Channel
reduced to sailings on May 24 to 27 and June 04 to 08, June 14 and 15.
With the BALMORAL on the Bristol Channel Irish Sea
sailings are also reduced - she will sail on her Isle of Man Excursions
on May 29 June 01. The Liverpool and North Wales Salings for June
are now cancelled. Though Liverpool and North Wales "Tall Ships"
sailings July 16 to July 21 will operate.
To download timetables visit
www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk .
It is clear that such changes will disappoint many
- but anyone who appreciates these ships should ensure that they support
what sailings are available this season.
|
|
May 05 |
Acknowledgements: Gary
Andrews, Alex Mc Cormac, Patrick Burden and "others". |
CLUB CRUISE INTERNATIONAL / VAN GOGH CRUISE LINE
VAN GOCH CRUISE LINE CLOSES
Van Gogh Cruise Line, the operator set up by the
former financial director of Travelscope Mark Horwood was reported to
have gone out of business last week making all its 20 staff redundant.
The company blamed fuel prices, the increasing value
of the Euro for the decision to cancel all plans to operate its only
ship the VAN GOGH
from the UK.
The company has been dogged by problems, including
having the ship impounded in Funchal earlier this year after the
administrators of Gloucestershire-based Travelscope won a court order.
At the time Van Gogh Cruise Line revealed it had had
an application to join ABTA refused and that planned to appeal. That
appeal was turned down last Wednesday, an ABTA spokesperson confirmed.
Amid rumours of the operator’s demise last week
TTG contacted the
Passenger Shipping Association and was told it was not a member, despite
its logo appearing on its site.
Travelscope went out of business in December and ABTA
and the ship’s owner, Dutch-based Cruise Club worked together to save a
round the world cruise. In a statement Van Gogh Cruise Line said:
“After careful consideration and in light of the
changes in the market conditions - with the massive increase in fuel
prices; the devaluation of the pound to the Euro, it is with much regret
that Club Cruise Entertainment & Travelling Services Europe N.V have
decided that the
VAN GOGH
will not now be sailing from the UK in the
foreseeable future and therefore, disappointedly, Van Gogh Cruise Line
Limited will no longer be in operation.
“The subsidiary company’s operations are therefore
being wound down and the staff have, regrettably, been made redundant.”
[TTG
/ MARITIME CLIPPINGS]
FINNJET TO THE BREAKERS
FINNJET - the pioneering former gas turbine
cruise ferry which was sold by Sea Containers to Club Cruise and renamed
DA VINCI is reported to have been sold for breaking. Club Cruise had
bought her with a view to conversion to a cruise ship.
GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND
A
public consultation process has been launched to decide on the future
registration of ships in Ireland. The Minister for Transport and Marine,
Noel Dempsey, has called on vessel owners and the public to become
involved in the process. It is intended to create a new ship register in
Ireland that will enforce legislation on safety and living conditions
aboard and help improve maritime safety. New arrangements are being
considered by the Department under which vessels not previously required
to be registered will have to do so in the future.
The
public consultation process will be used to prepare the legislation,
which will result in a centralised electronic register to be used to
enforce legislation on safety, security, living, working and
environmental conditions.
There are 41 ships on the Irish register at present. Its numbers were
reduced when Irish Ferries flagged out to other countries. Arklow
Shipping is now the biggest shipping company in the country.
[RTE / MARITIME CLIPPINGS]
IRISH FERRIES
OSCAR WILDE - due to technical problems the
17:00 Rosslare - Cherbourg sailing on May 04, 2024 was delayed until
23:00 due to technical problems.
ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET
COMPANY
INCAT 50 - The company have sent
representatives to view the 1998 built high speed vessel which was
chartered from Incat by the US Military as HSV-X1 JOINT VENTURE. [CLICK
HERE - INCAT WEB SITE PHOTOS]
Whitehaven Tourist Office is currently
publcising three day trips to the Isle of Man - being operated on
Tuesdays July 1st and August 12th between Whitehaven and Douglas and on
Tuesday July 15 between Barrow and Douglas.
SNAEFELL returned to Merseyside on May 01, 2024
and berthed at Alexandra Dock. She is believed to be carrying out MES
deployments and filming a new safety video.
STOP PRESS! - MAY 05 - 21:10
A single "SuperSeaCat" has
appeared on the US Shipbrokers web site. It is not clear which of the
four vessels is being offered for sale - but as SUPERSEACAT THREE and
SUPERSEACAT FOUR operate as a pair these can be probably ruled out. That
leaves ALMUDAINA DOS (ex
SUPERSEACAT ONE) now operating for Acciona Trasmediterranea and VIKING
operating for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Several of the
images on the linked
.pdf document
clearly show SUPERSEACAT TWO (now VIKING) and the file name is
"superseacat2.pdf" .
EMERAUDE FRANCE which was chartered to the IoMSPCo last year has also
been advertised for sale by the same brokers.
PEEL PORTS
MERSEY DOCKS
The 150ft tall gooseneck cranes at
Cavendish Quay, Birkenhead Docks, were brought down early on
Sunday morning 27th April.
Each weighing 320 tonnes, the cranes were erected in 1964
and had spent most of their working lives discharging dry
bulk cargoes from ships.
Main contractor Technical
Demolition Services (TDS) of Birkenhead and explosives
experts Controlled Group of Wakefield, ensured that the two
redundant cranes, located close to modern warehousing,
safely "bit the dust".
The demolition was undertaken for
port operator, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company – part
of Peel Ports Group – to allow better use of the quayside
the cranes occupied. Engineering Services Manager Ben
Stafford said: "It was a text book operation. Everything
went according to plan." [
Slide Show of Demolition - Port of Liverpool Website]
STANLEY DOCK BRIDGE
The Scherzer
Rolling Lift Bridge on Regent Road ("The Dock Road") which gives access
to Stanley Dock is due to be closed, according to published notices from
May 02, 2024 for a period of up to twelve months. This will enable the
condition of the structure to be evaluated and repairs undertaken.
Traffic diversions
will be set up. Reports in the local press have highlighted concerns by
local businesses that the lengthy closure of Regent Road may have.
However, anyone who
regularly drives along Regent Road will be aware that the bridge, the
last remaining Scherzer Bridge on the Liverpool side of the Mersey has
long been in need of attention.
SEATRUCK FERRIES
The dismantling of
RIVERDANCE
is expected to have a
minimal impact on Blackpool. Deputy Council leader, Councillor Ian
Fowler, who is helping to oversee the demolition of the stricken ferry
for the Council, says that the cost of dealing with the ship to
Blackpool taxpayers was: "minimal." He also said he did not foresee
problems with commuter traffic. "So far the only major cost we've had is
the removal on 20 tonnes of chocolate biscuits," he said. "Any costs
during the process of cutting the ship up will be put in against the
salvors."
Councillor Fowler said there was no need
to worry about increased traffic because of the operation. He said:"We
are concerned about the impact on people in the area. "We want to let
them know we will keep it to a minimum. "The movements of the cut up
pieces will be done between 8am and 8pm and we hope there will be little
impact on commuter traffic as it will not be possible to remove large
sections of the ship in one go."
Wyre Council leader, Councillor Russell
Forsyth, did not share Councillor Fowler's confidence. He believes there
could be some disruption along Amounderness Way. Demolition crews from
Heysham-based Hancock's Contractors Ltd have now boarded the stricken
vessel.
They will cut the ship from the inside
out into pieces weighing around 20 tonnes and then transport it to be
recycled. A 350 metre exclusion zone remains in place around
RIVERDANCE and members of the
public have been warned to stay away or risk prosecution.
RIVERDANCE has been beached
near Anchorsholme
Park since it was hit by a "freak wave" on January 31 during a journey
from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to Heysham. [Maritime Clippings]
It was reported that the end of last week that
Contractors have started working on the inside of the ship.
After everything is cleared from the hull, the
ship will be cut up into sections and driven away on lorries.
Outlining details of the operation on Friday,
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it was expected to take
between 12 and 14 weeks.
Hancock's Contractors in Heysham, Lancashire,
are carrying out work to dismantle the RIVERDANCE, which has now sunk
about 4m (4.4yd) into the sand.
The MCA warned it would be a few weeks before
people saw a noticeable difference in the appearance of the ship,
which has proved a popular tourist attraction.
Spokesman Donald McDonald said: "Inside the
hull you've still got trailers in there and there's cargo and timber
still loose.
"Areas will have to be cut down and dropped so
there is still a high element of danger for the people working on it."
Two huge holes will be cut in the 2,600-tonne
vessel to leave its shell intact while it is stripped down.
Once cut into pieces, the sections will be
transported away on lorries for recycling.
Works traffic will be limited to the hours of
0800 BST to 2000 BST, but for some residents it is the crowds attracted
by the ship that are causing the most problems.
Roy Andrew, whose property overlooks a grassy
area in front of the beach, said he was looking forward to the project's
completion.
"You can have 100 people all walking around out
there with bikes, playing football and having picnics out there - and
they leave all their rubbish," said Mr Andrew. [BBC]
TORPOINT FERRY
TAMAR II has been withdrawn from
service for refit for a period of four weeks. The work is being
undertaken at A&P Falmouth. This reduces the Torpoint - Devonport
service to two vessels. |
|
