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Isle of Wight: Lymington Harbour Commissioners, Wightlink 's introduction of larger ferries

Sailing into a storm

By Lori Little - Friday, November 21, 2008
LYMINGTON Harbour Commissioners are on collision course with Wightlink over the introduction of larger ferries.
Wightlink says it will be safe for the Wight Class vessels to enter service and are progressing plans for their introduction in next month.
But harbour commission chairman Peter Griffiths said he was seriously disappointed by the company’s response, pointing to the commission raising concerns about their suitability and size before they were ordered.
He said final trials using the ships were essential for independent consultants BMT Seatech’s risk assessment team to complete its study into the impact of the boats. He accused Wightlink of not taking part.
But Wightlink said extensive, independent sea trials had been conducted over the past two months and were now nearly complete.
A spokesman said: “A host of studies have been undertaken into the environmental impact and risk assessment of the new ferries and the final phase of the BMT SeaTech studies, instigated by Lymington Harbour Commissioners, now has just two final trials outstanding.”
One test needed specific wind and tide conditions that could easily delay introduction of the ferries beyond expiration of the safety certificates of the old vessels, which was not practical or viable.
“With the vast majority of the findings of the sea trials before us, we can now be confident the new ferries can operate safely within the river but, until the final trials are concluded, we will work within the parameters of an interim safe operating profile.
“Wightlink has always been supportive of the sea trials and can confirm it will fully co-operate in this final phase of the process.”
• Speaking after a Commons debate on Wednesday, Island MP Andrew Turner said the route was a vital link.
He said the government had confirmed there was nothing unlawful in Wightlink bringing the new ferries into service but would prefer them to wait for the completion of the assessments.

Supporters line up to back vital route

YARMOUTH Business Association and the Island’s Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate, Jill Wareham, have pledged their support for the Yarmouth to Lymington ferries.
Islanders were urged by Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners two weeks ago to make loud their support of the ferry route or risk losing it, following a strong negative reaction from Lymington opponents to Wightlink’s new ferries.
Mrs Wareham said although Island MP Andrew Turner blamed Lymington Harbour Commissioners of holding up the introduction of the ferries, she felt the main antagonist was Conservative New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne.
He is supporting objectors and raised the adjournment debate on the subject in parliament this week.
Mrs Wareham added: “The vehicle ferry service is essential to the Island, particularly those who live and work in the West Wight.
“The old ferries have been in service more than 35 years. We must have new ferries.”
She has written with her concerns to Natural England, the Environment Agency, Department of Transport, Marine Fisheries Agency, Lymington Harbour Commissioners, New Forest District Council and the Lymington Times.
Yarmouth Business Association has, in a letter to the County Press, sided with the town’s harbour commissioners over the issue.
They stated: “Both Yarmouth and Lymington are commercial transport hubs and depend on the through flow of Island traffic.
“Lymington should not underestimate the contribution an effective Isle of Wight ferry service makes to their own economy.”

Bank profit slumps

THE investment bank that owns Wightlink has reported a 43 per cent drop in first-half net profit.
Macquarie Group, which is Australia’s biggest investment bank, had a consolidated net profit for the half-year to September 30 of 604 million Australian dollars (300 million US dollars), down from 1.06 billion Australian dollars.
The group said the result came during a period of unprecedented global financial market conditions.
It stated: “We continue to have a range of strong businesses, which are well placed over the medium term.”