THE Scottish government's response to a ferry passenger's questions has highlighted some new concerns about the ability of the current tender process to deliver a robust service.
The Standard has for many years covered the Dunoon-Gourock ferry issue, highlighting the fear of campaigners that the route will be made a passenger-only service.
But just why is this option so objectionable?
One regular commuter decided to look at the issue from the point of the view of the ferry user - and in doing so, turned up a number of facts which will be of concern to many of those watching closely as the tender specification for the route is awaited.
“Others have focused on the political and financial aspects of the tender,” the passenger told the Standard.
“I am a regular user of the AliCat and decided to tackle the problem from the practical aspects of what would happen if we got a passenger-only vessel, perhaps similar to the AliCat.
“For a passenger-only vessel, the AliCat is not bad in summer, but it is a disaster in winter. If it is cancelled, you have to wait for the Jupiter. Post tender, though, there may be no following service - and a vessel like the AliCat may be unable to sail for days in a bad year.”
Cancellation statistics were obtained from operators CalMac, and these revealed that the Jupiter cancelled 0.3 per cent of sailings - but the AliCat was ten per cent worse, having to cancel 3.4 per cent of its scheduled sailings.
What makes a passenger-only vessel like the AliCat so unreliable compared with a vehicle-carrier, argued the commuter, is that it lacks tonnage. Sailing in heavy seas would be far too rough for passengers and embarking/disembarking could become dangerous.
The passenger decided to find out how the Scottish government would ensure a reliable all-weather service would be delivered by the tender process.
A Freedom of Information request resulted in a response from an officer in the Ferry Policy and Procurement department, which stated: “Given the range of prevailing weather conditions likely to be experienced on the route, there could not be a truly ‘all weather’ service.
“However, I can assure you that we will expect any vessels operating on the...route [will be] fully capable of operating in Category C waters, which means that a Class V certificate will be required.”
This may sound reassuring - but no mention is made of tonnage and, crucially, Dunoon’s new linkspan is located in Category D waters during the winter months.
The AliCat holds a Class IV certificate but cannot operate when wave height at Dunoon exceeds 0.6 metres.
This is significantly less than the limits for both Cat C waters (wave heights up to 1.2 metres) and Cat D (up to 2 metres).
Vessels like the Juno and Jupiter hold Class IV certificates, enabling them to operate in Cat D waters - but a Class V vessel would not be able to do so.
The passenger commented to the Standard: “I believe that waves of up to 1.5 metres in height have been seen at Dunoon pier, and I also have a video of the new linkspan in a storm that certainly appears to be Cat D waters.
“Regarding the tender, I can see only one of three options being the case: they are tendering for the wrong type of vessel; they don’t intend to use the linkspan; or they are going to try and fudge the water category to use cheaper vessels.
“The tonnage of the vessel is critical and there is no mention of that. A vehicle-carrying ship will tend to have higher tonnage and is more likely to be Class IV - and it would be a good idea to have two of them as well!
“You cannot have a frequent service with one vessel, and a single vessel is bound to be out of service for some of the time.
“If a bus or train is late or does not run at all, there is generally a following service. However, for those who commute regularly using the Dunoon-Gourock service, it is quite a different matter if you go to work being unsure if you will be able to get home on the same day.”
He concluded: “Setting aside the passenger only versus vehicle ferry argument, I think it is important that people are made aware of the severe practical problems that could result if the tender does not deliver a vessel able to offer a reliable service.
“I think some foot passengers have not realised that the outcome of the tender could be very serious for them. There is a big difference between waiting for the next boat, and being stuck on the other side.”
|
All our news in one feed