Strangford ferry ready for service

Strangford ferry ready for service

4 January 2017

STRANGFORD’S new £6m ferry is expected to be operational within the next few weeks.

Modifications costing £12,000 have been carried out to the vessel’s entry ramps to remedy a design flaw preventing vehicles from embarking and disembarking at high tide.

The Department for Infrastructure — which is responsible for the ferry service — confirmed yesterday afternoon that the modification work has been completed and that the vessel should be operating shortly.

The new ferry arrived in Strangford last October with the problem concerning the ramps only coming to light during extensive sea trials.

The upgrade work was carried out in dry dock by engineers from the Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside where the vessel was built, but before it is pressed into service the new ferry will require further sea trials.

In addition to the problem with the ramps, the vessel has not yet been issued with its passenger safety certificate by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency which asked for additional safety rails and signage to be provided.

Several politicians have been highly critical of the delay in the new ferry being brought into service and the cost of the modification work, pointing the finger of blame at the Department for Infrastructure.

While the department insists the new ferry was built to the highest standards of design and workmanship, it confirmed a number of minor issues needed to be resolved before the vessel could be put into service. 

Departmental officials said the new ferry’s specification required it to be designed to handle the tidal requirements of Strangford Lough and that while the delay in the new service was regrettable, health and safety issues must always take priority.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath, who recently tabled an Assembly question asking for the costs and timescale for the implementation of the modification works, has welcomed confirmation that the vessel will soon be operational.

But he is concerned an additional £12,000 had to be spent modifying the ramps and has asked Stormont infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard to ensure similar problems do not occur in future.

“I have asked Minister Hazzard to determine if the additional spend can be recovered from the contractors or if the problem with the ramps was an internal departmental error. Public money should not be wasted on this,” he declared.

Mr McGrath added: “It is vital the new ferry is operational as soon as possible to ensure there are appropriate transport resources for local communities to deliver trade and tourism and ensure local people and visitors can cross Strangford Lough.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Infrastructure confirmed the ramp modifications have been completed.

She continued: “The ramp modifications on the new Strangford ferry will cost approximately £12,000. Discussions are ongoing with shipbuilder Cammell Laird about responsibilities for these costs.  

“It is expected that the new ferry will go into service shortly once a passenger certificate has been obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”