Tag: photography

8 Comments

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

10 Comments

Even a Tory MP can see what privatised ferry services become – think carefully Scottish islanders

johnrobertson834

From On the Wight, today: Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, has this week released an in-depth study into cross-Solent ferry services. My research has led me to believe that, using a web of offshore companies, Wightlink and Red Funnel’s owners and lenders have taken large profits out of the firms for years. To drive efficiency and take even more profits, directors have cut timetables; introduced surge pricing, which penalises Islanders for making essential journeys at peak times; and limited investment in ferries, some of which are now 34 years old. Islanders are tired of ‘technical’ and ‘mechanical’ issues. The … Continue reading Even a Tory MP can see what privatised ferry services become – think carefully Scottish islanders

2 Comments

Affluent US state built no new ferries in period when Scotland built TEN

johnrobertson834

From the Sequim Gazette, in Washington State, USA, today: Washington’s ferry system is in jeopardy. It is struggling to meet the demands of its routes, and officials say it may be three to four years before any new ferry can go into service. Currently, 19 ferries serve the island communities of Washington, but the state needs 26 boats to fully fill the sailing schedule. While some are blaming a switch to electric boats for the delay in getting new vessels built, the problems go back nearly 25 years. In 1999, voters approved Initiative 695, which repealed the state’s motor vehicle … Continue reading Affluent US state built no new ferries in period when Scotland built TEN

4 Comments

Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ There’s so much bad news out there about ferries, from Alaska to New Zealand, you have to wonder how ‘our’ journos have the time to write every day about CalMac. Today, in the US Times Post: Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident by MV Ferry Cathlamet July 2022 had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries (WSF)KING 5 Investigators found. State records show that in the months and years leading up to the accident, colleagues and ferry managers expressed concerns about Capt. Dave’s … Continue reading Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries

3 Comments

Canadian ferries vibrating too much due to cost-saving in German yards

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ B.C. Ferries vessel Coastal Inspiration. B.C. FERRIES As the new Clydebuilt CalMac ferry is reported to have had ‘overwhelmingly positive trials, clearly demonstrating the advanced technology which MV Glen Sannox will bring to the CalMac fleet‘, troubled BC Ferries in Canada, seem to have bought cheap but not ‘properly built’ in a foreign yard. In the Times Colonist yesterday: The reliability of Coastal Class ­vessels hinges on B.C. Ferries addressing their inherent vibration issues, stemming from partially submerged ­propellers. These issues, present since inception, necessitated the avoidance … Continue reading Canadian ferries vibrating too much due to cost-saving in German yards

10 Comments

Desperation dogs ageing Herald ferry team with three gammons trying to do the work

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ The 39 year-old MV Hebridean Isles saying ‘Ah’ to reveal its rust free doors. Today, the Herald of Free Flotsam and Jetsam has from one of their ferry correspondents: Rust dogs ageing CalMac fleet with two ferries sidelined for 3rd year Oooh, there’ll be some creepy shots of rusty old boats in this, won’t there? Nope. All they have is a shot of the MV Clansman (25) looking great with not a trace of rust and the MV Caledonian Isles (30) with some not-rusty scuffs on the … Continue reading Desperation dogs ageing Herald ferry team with three gammons trying to do the work

7 Comments

Isle of Wight ferries charged several times the CalMac rate and got a Covid rescue grant yet made £16m profit and paid shareholders £10m

johnrobertson834

In Island Echo today: Wightlink made a profit of £16million in the financial year to March 2023, according to the company’s latest financial figures. The cross-Solent operator published its accounts – which are available on Companies House – on 8th January, covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023. The highest-paid director – who is unnamed – took home £398,000, with a further £285,000 paid out to other directors. A dividend of £10million was proposed to be paid in June last year, despite Wightlink taking a COVID rescue grant from the Government. No CalMac or previously Caledonian MacBrayne ferry … Continue reading Isle of Wight ferries charged several times the CalMac rate and got a Covid rescue grant yet made £16m profit and paid shareholders £10m