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[BBC News] Ferries cancelled in poor weather


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OK, so there has been exceptionally poor sailing weather this winter, but surely the Steam Packet must realise that they can't make money on a fast craft if it's regularly unable to sail? I'd like to see the statistics for the last 5 years of the number of sailings cancelled month-by-month.

 

This site shows me that Sea Express 1 has only made it to Liverpool on 4 of the scheduled 7 times so far in January:

 

http://www.aisliverpool.org.uk/visits.php?imo=8900012

 

and its unlikely to make this weekend's scheduled crossings either, given the forecasts, which will push the success rate below 50%.

 

 

IMHO they'd be much better off with a fast conventional ferry - it could comfortably do 2 return crossings a day (another return crossing overnight if required) and hold more people, cars and freight in peak season, and would be more economical to run and reliable in the off season... or am I talking rubbish? Given that (TT excepting) freight is clearly the mainstay of their business, I'm surprised that they've not made a move like this already.

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OK, so there has been exceptionally poor sailing weather this winter, but surely the Steam Packet must realise that they can't make money on a fast craft if it's regularly unable to sail? I'd like to see the statistics for the last 5 years of the number of sailings cancelled month-by-month.

 

This site shows me that Sea Express 1 has only made it to Liverpool on 4 of the scheduled 7 times so far in January:

 

http://www.aisliverpool.org.uk/visits.php?imo=8900012

 

and its unlikely to make this weekend's scheduled crossings either, given the forecasts, which will push the success rate below 50%.

 

 

IMHO they'd be much better off with a fast conventional ferry - it could comfortably do 2 return crossings a day (another return crossing overnight if required) and hold more people, cars and freight in peak season, and would be more economical to run and reliable in the off season... or am I talking rubbish? Given that (TT excepting) freight is clearly the mainstay of their business, I'm surprised that they've not made a move like this already.

Although I have never actually read it, I understand that the Harbour User Agreement requires that the Packet operate a fast craft, offer a certain number of sailings annually and service specific ports (in exchange for their monopoly). Given that last year they did not operate Sea Express 1 (until Superseacat broke down) it would appear that they only see enough traffic to operate the Ben and one fast craft, that would perhaps mean that an additional larger conventional ferry would be unviable as there is probably not enough traffic to fill it all year round ( this year excepted, probably due to TT Centenary?) I don't know their running costs for fastcraft v. conventional ferry, presumably the heavier the vessel the more fuel it burns? Personally I would rather spend only two and half hours on a fastcraft (weather permitting) than three and half or four on a conventional ship - that extra hour on the Ben to Heysham seems like an eternity compared to the Liverpool journey.

 

As regards freight, the Ben is more than adequate for the majority of the year (peak periods excepted) and another freight carrying vessel would serve no purpose unless there was a boom in demand on the Island. The Packet have made no secret that they have been looking at a larger fast craft with limited freight capacity i.e. trailers, only problem is there are no freight facilities at the Liverpool Pier Head, the alternative is to use one of the docks (which means a laborious lock in - lock out situation) or negotiate a slot on the Twelve Quays berth at Birkenhead, other than that it would have to sail from Heysham if it were to carry freight which only duplicates the current service.

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Steam Packet already phoned me to advise that it probably wouldn't sail. Ho hum.

That's a first. In around 150 trips and five cancellations/postponed sailings they never rang me once. It must be great being a mod - your influence even extends to the Steam Packet!

 

For the substandard service on their subulated ships I have received, all at a substantial price, and where they often sublate much of my cash - I am suprised their subatomic brains haven't thought to add a submarine to their fleet to ride submerged under all this rough weather.

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I was pleasantly surprised too I suppose. They called to advise that poor weather was expected and would I like to reschedule to another time. As it turns out I can't so I'll just get a refund but they did promise I would be called on Sat morning if it was cancelled before normal turn up time. Guess we'll see...

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Although I have never actually read it, I understand that the Harbour User Agreement requires that the Packet operate a fast craft, offer a certain number of sailings annually and service specific ports (in exchange for their monopoly). Given that last year they did not operate Sea Express 1 (until Superseacat broke down) it would appear that they only see enough traffic to operate the Ben and one fast craft, that would perhaps mean that an additional larger conventional ferry would be unviable as there is probably not enough traffic to fill it all year round ( this year excepted, probably due to TT Centenary?) I don't know their running costs for fastcraft v. conventional ferry, presumably the heavier the vessel the more fuel it burns? Personally I would rather spend only two and half hours on a fastcraft (weather permitting) than three and half or four on a conventional ship - that extra hour on the Ben to Heysham seems like an eternity compared to the Liverpool journey.

 

If I was the government I'd certainly be open to a proposal from the Steam Packet to modify the agreement to allow for a fast conventional ferry instead of SE1 - I believe there are conventional craft capable of making it to Liverpool in three hours in good weather and making it to Liverpool at some point in bad weather, which is somewhat faster than not making it at all ;) Not sure how they compare on fuel consumption to SE1.

 

As regards freight, the Ben is more than adequate for the majority of the year (peak periods excepted) and another freight carrying vessel would serve no purpose unless there was a boom in demand on the Island. The Packet have made no secret that they have been looking at a larger fast craft with limited freight capacity i.e. trailers, only problem is there are no freight facilities at the Liverpool Pier Head, the alternative is to use one of the docks (which means a laborious lock in - lock out situation) or negotiate a slot on the Twelve Quays berth at Birkenhead, other than that it would have to sail from Heysham if it were to carry freight which only duplicates the current service.

 

Take the point on freight - was really just an added bonus of having a second conventional craft: it gives a built-in contingency if the Ben is at capacity or is damaged and unable to operate. I imagine it will be pretty full once the bad weather subsides and the shops need to restock after all the panic buying :)

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