The Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy announced this week that the new  contract for the Rathlin Ferry will provide improved services. The six year contract has been awarded to Mr Ciarán O'Driscoll, whose companies currently provide ferry services to islands off the coast of County Cork.

The Minister said: "I am pleased to announce that we have been able to secure a faster, more comfortable vessel to supplement the services already provided by the MV CANNA on this route.

"This new contract will offer improved summer and winter timetables using a combination of the current roll-on/roll-off ferry and a new purpose built high speed catamaran capable of carrying 100 seated passengers.

The new vessel will provide a comfortable, accessible, year round, service to the island with a reduced crossing time from 45 minutes to 20 minutes. The enhanced timetable will no doubt assist journeys made by the Islanders but will also help in promoting tourism.

"This is a significant step forward in the development of Rathlin Island. The number of visitors using the ferry service has been steadily increasing and a new fast ferry can only help to stimulate this even further.

"The Department has secured the continuing use of the roll-on/roll-off ferry, the MV CANNA, to provide vehicle and freight services. The CANNA is owned by the Scottish company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and will be leased to the new operator.

The new catamaran, to be commissioned by Mr O'Driscoll, will be available for service in summer 2009. Until then, the enhanced timetable will be provided by the MV CANNA and a smaller mono-hulled vessel, which can carry up to 38 passengers on the 20 minute crossing.

The Rathlin Development Community Association was consulted during the tender specification stage. Their Sustainable Tourism Strategy called for more comfortable passenger services on the route to attract more tourist visitors to Rathlin.

The Department is working towards a date for handover of the contract of 1 June 2008.

The new #3 linkspan is expected to arrive at Heysham on May 16.

PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY

EQUINE has left the Dublin to Liverpool service after operating her April 25 sailings - she is expected to be replaced by MERCHANT BRILLIANT.

LYGRA (1979 - grt: 7,012 - length 113m) will go on charter to Seatruck from Thursday April 29, 2008 and run with CLIPPER POINT and MOONDANCE until the arrival of CLIPPER PENNANT / PACE at Heysham. She is operated by Wilhelmsen Ship Management AS of Norway.

Retired Royal Marines from all over the country marched on Seacombe on Sunday April 20 to commemorate one of the most heroic actions of the First World War in which the Mersey Ferries played their part.

The annual Zeebrugge Remembrance service, organised by the Merseyside branch of the Royal Marines Association, is held at Seacombe Ferry Terminal and aboard one of the ferries.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytrave, which owns and operates the ferries, said: "This is one of the most moving events of the year for myself and many other people.

"We should never forget those who lost their lives at Zeebrugge nor the bravery of the crews of our own ferries who took part."

It was an action that saw vicious hand to hand fighting, incredible heroism and the award of 200 medals for gallantry, including eight Victoria Crosses, the highest military honour for bravery.

The original DAFFODIL and IRIS acted as both landing craft for marines and tugboats to HMS VINDICTIVE. They came under heavy fire but both ferries returned battered and intact.

As a result of their action King George V awarded them the title of "Royal" ferries, a unique distinction that remains to this day.

Neil Scales added: "The Mersey Ferries and the Royal Marines forged an historic link at Zeebrugge that should never be forgotten."

The memorial service, which marks the 90th anniversary of the Zeebrugge landing which took place on April 23rd, 1918, commenced with a march by the ex-marines from Wallasey Town Hall at 09:45 to board the ROYAL DAFFODIL at Seacombe 10.15am.

The service included the casting of memorial wreathes into the River Mersey followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Zeebrugge Memorial at Seacombe and a VIP inspection of the veterans.

NAHLIN

Photographs of the  John Brown Built steam yacht NAHLIN which spent some time on Merseyside undergoing initial restoration work a few years ago have appeared on the web site www.yachtspotter.com .

The vessel was sold to German interests in 2005. Restoration work continues [CLICK HERE] for photographs taken during March 2008 posted on the Yacht Spotter web site.

The much talked about Bristol Channel fast ferry link between South Wales and the West Country has taken a big leap forward.

Two 130ft fast catamarans, each capable of carrying 360 passengers, could soon be speeding their way to Ilfracombe to help establish the new service as early as next year.

Ferry expert Chris Marrow, of the fledgling Severn Sea Ferries company, and operations director Graham Beesley have been to view the vessels on the Isle of Wight, with a view to buying them.

If a financial package can be agreed with investors, and all necessary licensing requirements met, it is hoped the former Wightlink ferries could soon be regular fixtures in the Bristol Channel.

In a meeting in Swansea last year, council officials on both sides of the channel agreed in principle to establish the link.

It aims to create fast ferry links, with journey times of between 40 and 45 minutes, between Ilfracombe and Swansea plus Minehead and Penarth.

The vessels, the FASTCAT SHANKLIN and FASTCAT RYDE, would be particularly suitable for ports at Swansea and Ilfracombe meaning little work would need to be done to prospective terminals.

The two "cats" currently under consideration for the new Bristol Channel service can reach speeds of 34 knots.

Mr Marrow said: "We've been to look at them; Wightlink are willing sellers and we are willing buyers. "The final business plan is complete. We are in the middle of attempting to get finances to go ahead with the purchase.

"Meetings are going on all the time with interested parties and hopefully within the next few months there will be more news."

Steve Penny, president of the West Wales Chamber of Commerce, has said of the South Wales North Devon ferry link: "This is an exiting and innovative idea which would have great benefits for the West Country and Wales."

Swansea Council leader Chris Holley has also given his full backing to the idea and believes it will fill the gap left by the ending in 2006 of the Swansea Cork ferry link.

Devon county councillor for Ilfracombe Geoff Fowler said he saw the ferries as a catalyst for the regeneration of the town, not only for the number of extra visitors - a recent study estimated up to 100,000 per year - but also for the recognition the town would get from private investors.

And he said the same would be true for communities on the Welsh side of the channel.

[Trade Winds]

Cork County Council was "hoodwinked" into believing there was no EU funding for a tourist ferry to Britain, it has been claimed.

Former county mayor John O'Shea proposed the setting-up of a public forum to re-establish the Cork Swansea ferry link.

A new ferry had been promised last year, he said, and everybody took the commitment in the good faith it was given.

"The ferry was due to be up and running this year," said the Fine Gael councillor. "But we were too trustworthy and, this year, there is no ferry and there are severe pressure points in the tourist industry in West Cork."

Mr O'Shea suggested to the monthly meeting of the council that public meetings in support of a ferry should be held in every village and town from Allihies in Beara to Youghal as a first step in setting up The Cork Swansea Ferry Forum.

An eight-month tourist season had become a four-month season and a number of tourism-related facilities had been forced to close.

Mr O'Shea said an unpublished survey showed 74% of Britons who had used the ferry had previously visited the southwest, with 38% booking accommodation solely in Cork.

He said the council had been hoodwinked by "people in authority" that there was no state funding available for ferries. An EU document which he presented showed funding was available for passenger ferries.

Mr O'Shea said Britain received €60 million for the channel rail tunnel while other substantial EU aid was allocated to other developments in Europe. He said: "Not one minister stood up to support the ferry which was the lifeblood of tourism in southwest Cork.

"To see a car with an English or European registration in the area is a rarity, they are as scarce as hens' teeth. I am sick of hoodwink and hogwash."

However, acting county manager Theresa White warned the creation of a new forum could create another talking shop. The council itself was the main forum in the county, so she suggested the council make its views on the issue known to the Government rather than setting up a forum.

The council, she said, should enlist the support of local authorities in Swansea, Cork city and Kerry County Council. She added that senior council officials were aware of the strong commercial interest in re-establishing the ferry link and, also, the importance of the ferry to the region. The council, said Ms White, had already committed funding to market the ferry. [Irish Examiner]

"After a lengthy evaluation process, the owner of the Riverdance ferry, now lying on Blackpool beach, has produced plans to dismantle the ship in situ on the grounds that this represents the best option available in the interests of safety and protecting the environment.

Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of States Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), has been involved throughout and has informed the owner that he has no objection to the plans.

Weather permitting, it is estimated that the project will take approximately 12-14 weeks.

Options examined ranged from righting the vessel (known as par-buckling), cutting up in situ or a combination of both. The preferred method will involve cargo, trailer and machinery removal, including any debris and any pollutants, whilst maintaining the integrity of the hull. The vessel will be stripped down internally until only the shell remains. The hull will then be cut into manageable pieces and transported for recycling.

The Environment Group have been advised as well as Defra, the Environment Agency, the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Natural England. All parties (including Defra, the Environment Agency, the Environment Group, the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Natural England) recognise that, due to the uncertainty and technical difficulties of righting the vessel, cutting up in situ is now the best option.

Until the new contract for demolition is awarded, SMIT Salvage remain on contract to carry out caretaking duties only.

Hugh Shaw said I look forward to being able to brief officers and elected members of the local authorities to explain how and why the forthcoming works will be carried out. I also look forward to working closely with all interested organisations such as the police and local transport services to ensure that minimum disruption is caused to residents and local people.

The original plan to reduce the list using tidal and internal buoyancy was abandoned due to the additional structural damage sustained during storms on 12 March. The vessel remains lying on the beach with a list of 100 +  degrees. In addition the vessel continues to sink deeper into the sand. It is estimated that at least 4 metres of the bridge / wheelhouse is now under the sand.

It was subsequently announced that Heysham-based Hancock's Contractors will undertake the dismantling of the ship with the scrap being taken to Liverpool for recycling.

Irish Continental boss Eamonn Rothwell has upped his stake in the ferry line by buying more shares.

A statement to the stock exchange yesterday revealed that he had bought 736,000 shares on Tuesday, bringing his stake to just above 16pc. The chief executive may be limbering up for a replay later this year of the titanic takeover battle that he and his management colleagues fought last year with top businessman Philip Lynch.

The two sides fought each other to a standstill, until a market ruling barred either for a year from making new takeover moves.

The year runs out this summer, after which new efforts to resolve the impasse are now expected .

[Business World]

ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY

BEN-MY-CHREE repainting of the ship into traditional company livery is well underway in Cammell Laird #5 dry dock. [CLICK HERE]

VIKING - discharge of passengers and vehicles at Liverpool on Saturday April 05 was apparently delayed somewhat due to adverse conditions on the Mersey. Though she arrived on time around 09:55 inbound passengers were still reported to be on board at 11:45 due to the vessel ranging excessively at the stage and making discharge unsafe. As a consequence her 11:15 sailing did not get away from the stage until around 13:00.

MARITIME & COASTGUARD AGENCY

A woman and her granddaughter, who were out on New Brighton beach walking their two dogs, had to be rescued from the rising tide on April 02.

Liverpool Coastguard received a flurry of 999 calls at 18:00 reporting that the woman and girl, along with the two dogs, were stuck on a mud flat half a mile out from shore.

Liverpool Coastguard requested the New Brighton RNLI inshore lifeboat and the New Brighton RNLI hovercraft to launch.

The New Brighton Coastguard rescue team were also requested to attend and keep the grandmother and granddaughter under observation. The inshore lifeboat took the two on board along with their dogs and brought them to shore, wet but unharmed.

FEBRUARY SHIP DETENTIONS

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced on April 04, 2008 that 6 foreign ships were under detention in UK ports during February 2008 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection.

Latest monthly figures show that there were six detentions of foreign flagged ships in UK ports during February 2008 and six vessels under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 5.2% a slight decrease on January twelve month rate.

During the month of February 159 Port State Control inspections were carried out in the UK. A total of 41 vessels had no deficiencies raised against them, 70 had between one and five deficiencies, 36 had between six and ten deficiencies 11 had between eleven and twenty deficiencies and there was 1 vessel inspected which had more than twenty deficiencies.

Out of the detained vessels three were registered with a flag states listed on the Paris MOU white list, six were registered with flag states on the grey list and two were registered with flag states on the black list and one was not listed.

Vessels detained in February included:

A 499gt St Vincent & Grenadines flagged General Cargo Vessel which was detained in Hull following the arrest of the master who had been arrested by the local police as it was suspected he had been drinking. In addition, there was no evidence to prove that officers on board held CECs from the Flag State as it appeared that these certificates were locked up in the safe and only the master knew the combination. The vessels magnetic compass had a large bubble and there had been no entries into the compass deviation/correction log since October 2007. The vessel had also suffered a black - out on departure of Antwerp before arriving at Humber that needed to be investigated and any problem resolved as required.


a 20,248 Panama flagged Other Cargo Vessel detained in Bristol because the port lifeboat suspension falls blocks - forward & aft were holed and wasted. The fire drill and abandonment drill was substandard and the crew showed a lack of emergency preparedness during these drills. The propeller shaft in the starboard lifeboat was found to have an excessive misalignment and required rectification. The number and nature of the defects identified on board indicated a major breakdown of the vessels Safety Management System (SMS).
 

Multi-million-pound plans to revitalise the link between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have moved a step forward with the awarding of a contract to work up proposals to redevelop two harbours.

Cornwall County Council has hired Birse Coastal to draw up designs for the harbours at Penzance and on St Mary's, seek planning consents and determine the cost estimates that will satisfy the Department for Transport, which has conditionally awarded £23.34 million for the schemes.

The harbour works are part of a package of proposals aimed at securing the long-term sustainability and continuance of a sea link between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland, preventing adverse effects on the economies of Penwith and Scilly.

Cornwall County Council bid for £23.84 million in government funds and a further £6.5 million from European Objective One funding to overhaul both harbours and replace the current passenger and freight boats.

Under the plans both would be replaced by a £17.5 million vessel which would combine freight and passenger services.

It would be purchased by the county council and leased back to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which operates the service. Both Penzance and St Mary's harbour will be updated to improve safety and security measures, as well as to cope with more passengers.

Liberal Democrat Matt McTaggart, Cornwall County Council's executive member for strategic planning and transport, said: "The upgrading of facilities at both ports is necessary as a result of increasing health and safety and security requirements introduced last year. Without further investment the continuation of the existing service could not be maintained.

"A secured good transport link is also essential to providing very important social and economic gains for the communities of the Islands."

Fellow Lib-Dem Andrew Mitchell, the county council's executive member for the economy, said: "By ensuring reliable and efficient transport, the links between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland can be maintained.

"The major improvements to the St Mary and Penzance harbours will also ensure the long- term economic prosperity of the Isles of Scilly and West Cornwall."

The design work will be paid for by the Duchy of Cornwall, Penwith District Council and Cornwall County Council. Once completed half the cost will be reimbursed by the Department for Transport.

Meanwhile, work on introducing the combined passenger and freight ferry service is continuing. The islands enjoy significant visitor numbers and rely on limited ferry and air transport links. The aim is to introduce a faster, more comfortable combined vessel, using modern cargo-handling technology.

Bevan Brittan was appointed last May to advise Cornwall County Council and has been working in collaboration with Plymouth-based specialist shipping solicitors Davies Johnson & Co on the council's formal agreement with the project partners. [WESTERN MORNING NEWS]

On 7 August 2007, the ro-ro passenger ferry Dublin Viking was preparing to leave her usual berth for a scheduled sailing from Dublin. Wind and tidal conditions were benign, but in the process of letting go the stern line, the operator of the stern line winch heaved in the line instead of paying out slack. The stern line parted with a loud crack and snapped back, striking the second officer’s legs. Both his legs were broken and the left leg was almost severed. The recoil of the line also dislocated a shore worker’s shoulder and elbow.

The vessel’s first-aid team and off duty master quickly arrived to treat the second officer. His injuries were severe and it was difficult to control the bleeding. The second officer was evacuated to hospital, where his left leg had to be amputated. He remained in a critical condition and died 6 days later.

The second officer, in charge of the after mooring deck, was obliged to stand in ‘snap-back’ zones near the fairleads, so that he could relay orders to line handlers ashore and deck crew. Analysis of the mooring line after the accident showed that it had deteriorated, its breaking load having reduced from 60 to 35 tonnes, largely due to exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Although the vessel’s mooring ropes were required to be inspected, the onboard procedures were informal and no records were kept.

The winch operator was attempting to control two winches at the same time, one heaving up the stern ramp and the other veering the stern line. The operator had controlled the winches before, and knew that the controls of the mooring winch operated in the opposite sense; however he was distracted and pushed the stern winch control away from him when intending to veer the rope. This caused the winch to heave in. Tests showed that the electric mooring winch was capable of pulling a far greater load than its stated output for a very short period when it first started to turn. This was sufficient to part the mooring line.

Following the accident, the vessel’s management company has implemented a number of measures designed to prevent a re-occurrence, and the winch manufacturer has undertaken to mark all new mooring winches with their maximum, as well as nominal, rated loads and also to provide more detailed technical information in its manuals.

Recommendations have been made regarding: the technical information supplied with winches; the need to consider the implications of any shore supplied moorings on the mooring structure as a whole; and the dissemination of a "flyer" that the MAIB has published, drawing attention to the lessons learned from this accident. The full report can be downloaded from the MAIB web site [CLICK HERE]