'We are ready to cope with bad weather' says ferry boss
CONCERNS about the capability of the Fast Cat vessels to cope with the Ilfracombe to Swansea ferry crossing have been addressed by Severn Link chairman Chris Marrow.
The
Journal's
story on the announcement of the ferry link last week, prompted a barrage of concerns voiced on this website.
The Fast Cats which will run across the Bristol Channel have been purchased from the Isle of Wight service, but Derek Gawn, from Ireland said he had lived on the Isle of Wight for some time and his experience was that anything more than "a slight blow" would mean the ferry was suspended to avoid the bad weather, or replaced by a car ferry.
In his website comment he said: "I lived for 48 years on the Isle of Wight. I have been in the Merchant Navy. I have worked on passenger ships. I know the sea. I know all about the Solent, where these vessels have been running. I have travelled on these two vessels.
"When they operated between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth their reliability was almost laughable — and that was a 4.5 mile trip in semi-sheltered waters. What on earth will a 20-plus mile trip across a very exposed stretch of water be like?
"It will be great on the best days of the summer, but the chance of running on bad days or in the winter will be pretty slim. Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea — but the wrong vessels."
Chris Marrow, chairman of Severn Link, said: "Yes, there will be times when it is too bumpy for a crossing, but you're going to get that whatever the vessel. The alternative is simple — no ferry.
"We are all professional sea-farers and we are consulting with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
"The Fast Cats do have good sea-keeping qualities, but none-the-less these are 40m vessels and we are aware of the fact that they will sometimes be weather limited.
"But we are still discussing the limitations with the MCA. The vessels can cope up to a certain level, but after that they won't sail, but that's true of any ferry.
"The problems these vessels had at the Isle of Wight weren't to do with conditions out at sea, but primarily with what they were like at Ryde Pier, where they were often unable to land."
He added: "Our main concern is that we won't strand anyone. Day-trippers will be refunded and anyone who is planning a holiday will be offered an alternative journey by coach — it won't be what they hoped for, but at least they won't be stranded."
Mr Marrow said sea trials in the Bristol Channel would be carried out in the coming weeks, with the MCA.
The first ferry is due to make the crossing around Easter-time next year.
13 Comments
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by Leostefan, Torquay
Tuesday, January 26 2010, 8:08PM
“I fail to see what all the fuss is about. As a ex. Merchant seaman and someone who has also sailed extensively for pleasure, good luck to them. I used to travel regulary on the Jetfoil between Dover and Oostende, that was a smaller vessel and was very rarely cancelled, even in bad weather”
by ted davies, South Wales
Saturday, December 12 2009, 1:53AM
“Mr.Marrow,Have you ever considered Mushroom farming or perhaps Chicken/Egg farming as an alternative to Marine Consultancy ??”
by Local, Ilfracombe
Monday, November 16 2009, 2:05PM
“My thoughts on the comparison with the MV Balmoral are a little different to those mentioned. Yes this vessel does provide a good 'trip' during the summer.
( I wonder what will happen to the poor thing in future)
However it is that,-----a trip----as you couldn't stay for the length of time you want to stay over in the resort, or choose when you want to visit, as trips are very restricted.
The ferry will enable relations of ours to come for a few days, and for us to visit them likewise.
It's still not the main need though, which is a car ferry.”
by Patrick Murrell, Clevedon, Somerset
Monday, November 09 2009, 9:49AM
“For the inforation of Dave, the catamarans used on the Channel Islands services are large car-carrying craft desighned for passages in open seas, and many times the size of the estuarial passenger craft proposed for the Swansea-Ilfracombe service. Besides the fact that the two fastcats are not really the ideal craft for this run in very exposed waters, one wonders where the passengers are going to come from.
M.V. Balmoral has provided a summer service on this route for many years, andf on a good summer day can attract up to 500 passengers a day on one or two days per week. Itr would be impressive if the new operation could attract ore then this, but I doubt it!
In the reverse direction, I would guess that the taker-up would be very low. Shopping opprtunities in Swansea have been mentioned, but |U doubt whether these are any better than those in Barnstaple or Exeter, which wil still be much easier to access at very considerably less cost, and with none of the hastle at having to disembark at the far end of Swasea docks and then transfer to a bus to the city centre.As Babs said, Time will Tell!”
by Derek Gawn, Ireland
Monday, November 09 2009, 1:59AM
“Thanks "Local of Ilfracombe". I believe there should always be intelligent open debate on topics such as this. It seems pointless all running round going "wonderful for 'Combe" & then all moaning if it goes wrong. Some people on here don't seem to believe anything negative should be said however. I REALLY DO HOPE THIS VENTURES WORKS OUT. At the end of the day it is the operator's responsibility, but I felt it right (with a few others) to point out these vessels weaknesses. Having said that, this evening I spoke to somebody who worked with these two craft & they feel they probably could physically cope with the route - their concern was more about whether passenger certs for 40 metre lightweight craft will be granted for that route, for year round operation. Apparently one of the Solent engineers has stayed with them - so somebody that already knows their workings must be good. I look forward to hearing the results of the Bristol Channel sea trials shortly & seeing pics of one alongside the remaining bit of (very exposed) pier at 'Combe.”