Tag: canada

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Rudder and Crewless in Angry Canada

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson One of Andy Fairweather Low’s lesser known releases? From CTV News, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in February 2024: BC Ferries is cancelling multiple sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island until Sunday due to a mechanical issue with one of its vessels’ rudders. The ferry company says its Queen of New Westminster vessel has been taken out of service until the problem can be fixed. Only a few months ago, CTV News had: Once again, staffing issues have forced BC Ferries to cancel sailings on a major route between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The … Continue reading Rudder and Crewless in Angry Canada

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Two new Romania-built ferries still not in service more than two years after delivery

johnrobertson834

In yet another example of the false economy of having ferries built in countries with lower labour costs and more relaxed regulations, Ontario’s transport minister has further delayed the use of two ferries built in Romania’s Damen shipyards which arrived in late 2021. The reasons are not being revealed but are to do with safety after the Wolfe Islander IV ran aground. Readers remember one of the Vietnam-built Orkney catamaran, the only 15 year-old MV Pentalina, running aground last April, only weeks after some time in dry-dock. Returning to the two Romanian ferries, last November we wrote: Amherst and Wolfe … Continue reading Two new Romania-built ferries still not in service more than two years after delivery

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Is this why the Scottish Government wisely rejected catamaran project as two 20 year-old $460 million Canadian catamaran ferries go on Facebook Marketplace for only $15 million?!!

johnrobertson834

On 1 May 2022, the Herald’s Ferry Correspondent, Martin Williams, announced: MINISTERS have been accused of a “scandalous” waste of over £110m  by failing to use catamarans instead of two new alternative lifeline vessels which are now being built in Turkey. This was the catamaran project: Ministers have come under fire as an £800m scheme to create a Clyde shipbuilding revolution and solve Scotland’s ferry crisis with a fleet of 50 catamarans has been sunk. Fronted by Stuart Ballantyne, a Scottish naval architect and chairman of Australian marine consulting firm Sea Transport Solutions whose designs are used in around 50 countries, the … Continue reading Is this why the Scottish Government wisely rejected catamaran project as two 20 year-old $460 million Canadian catamaran ferries go on Facebook Marketplace for only $15 million?!!