Glen Sannox

[Thistle]

I see the recently brought into service (you can't really call it "new" any more) Glen Sannox is to be taken out of service and put into dry dock. This is, we're told, partly, at least, to address a problem with a slipping anchor gypsy. Setting aside questions as to why this wasn't addressed during the extended build period, would dry docking normally be required for an anchor gypsy problem? Or does anyone know of any other problems they've found which would require dry docking? Or is the report of dry docking simply sloppy journalism in The Times (which is not unknown!)

 

[dunedin]

I see the recently brought into service (you can't really call it "new" any more) Glen Sannox is to be taken out of service and put into dry dock. This is, we're told, partly, at least, to address a problem with a slipping anchor gypsy. Setting aside questions as to why this wasn't addressed during the extended build period, would dry docking normally be required for an anchor gypsy problem? Or does anyone know of any other problems they've found which would require dry docking? Or is the report of dry docking simply sloppy journalism in The Times (which is not unknown!)

It is a 6 year old ship so problems should be expected

Apparently the anchor issue couldn’t be fixed during the sea trials as it needed parts - and some other snagging issues needing to be fixed.

BBC site doesn’t mention dry dock - but it is possible that it needs this for annual certification reasons to avoid being needed to be withdrawn in the Autumn for this?

New CalMac ferry Glen Sannox booked in for snagging repairs

 

[capnsensible]

Are they gonna rename it Glen Fiasco?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Nothing unexpected about the Glen Sannox going in for some work. To call it 'repairs' is a bit strong. During sea trial a snag list would be drawn up 'A' items would have to be dealt with before going into service. 'B' snag list items would be dealt with later.

 

[jbweston]

As money seems to be no object, I guess they'll get her right eventually. Or not. At least it all makes work for the working shipyard to do.

 

[ProDave]

And one day they will update the pier at Ardrossan. It's not as though they did not have 6 years delay to get that right ready for service.

 

[afterpegassus]

And one day they will update the pier at Ardrossan. It's not as though they did not have 6 years delay to get that right ready for service.

Of course, the harbour at Ardrosssan is owned by your friends and mine, Peel Ports who have taken £15.5m in dues from Calmac over the last ten year and, despite requests, have failed to upgrade the facilities there.

 

[ylop]

I think its probably just slightly misleading journalism. Local press reporting she will have the work done at Inchgreen Dry Dock. I think thats where she was immediately before the sea trials - but in fact the dock wasn't "dry" at the time, and probably won't be this time either, its just a convenient local dock. Inchgreen hasn't been regularly used as a dry dock for a while (with some local politicians lobbying for it to be used more to bring work to the area).

As I understand it the problem with the anchors gypsys was in recovering the anchors - which is probably not easy to test until you actually try it for real with all the chain out. Its a bit of a non-story which if it weren't for the political connotations of the project would never make the media.

 

[dunedin]

I think its probably just slightly misleading journalism. Local press reporting she will have the work done at Inchgreen Dry Dock. I think thats where she was immediately before the sea trials - but in fact the dock wasn't "dry" at the time, and probably won't be this time either, its just a convenient local dock. Inchgreen hasn't been regularly used as a dry dock for a while (with some local politicians lobbying for it to be used more to bring work to the area).

As I understand it the problem with the anchors gypsys was in recovering the anchors - which is probably not easy to test until you actually try it for real with all the chain out. Its a bit of a non-story which if it weren't for the political connotations of the project would never make the media.

Not sure it is right to blame the press in this case. Only a local paper would normally be interested in the detailed operation of a ferry. But as you know, these two ferries have rightly become a major public interest due to being delivered over 6 years late and a cost over run apparently over £300m on an estimated cost originally of under £100m. So every individual in Scotland has put a lot of their public money into these boats (I have spent more on this boat than my Laser dinghy recently )
And of course the other one hasn’t even moved yet.
So going out of service for a week for repairs is bound to attract public interest.

 

[Jodel]

This dry docking was published even before handover. It is to reset the date for its annual overhaul to fit in with the program for all their other ships. The anchor work has simply been added to the task list.

 

[ylop]

Not sure it is right to blame the press in this case. Only a local paper would normally be interested in the detailed operation of a ferry. But as you know, these two ferries have rightly become a major public interest due to being delivered over 6 years late and a cost over run apparently over £300m on an estimated cost originally of under £100m. So every individual in Scotland has put a lot of their public money into these boats (I have spent more on this boat than my Laser dinghy recently )
And of course the other one hasn’t even moved yet.
So going out of service for a week for repairs is bound to attract public interest.

I don't think thats at odds with what I wrote!

 

[Bodach na mara]

Well if the ship is at Inchgreen it won't be dry. According to stories printed elsewhere neither the lock gate nor the pumps are working. This is, according to a group call Inchgreen Action Group or something, due to neglect by the owners. Who are, as with Ardrossan Harbour, the much loved Peel Ports.

 

[jbweston]

For anyone wondering what the fuss in the press is all about, there's a good article on Wikipedia giving the background and history of this, covering the placing of the order, the construction of these two vessels and some of the political manoeuvrings around them:
Ferry Fiasco (Scotland)

Readers of the Marine Quarterly have enjoyed periodic updates on the fiasco as it's unfolded. Although 'enjoyed' might not be the right word if you are an island resident dependent on the creaking and unreliable CalMac fleet, or a Scottish taxpayer. If you are both then I imagine you're hopping up and down.

 

[penberth3]

For anyone wondering what the fuss in the press is all about, there's a good article on Wikipedia giving the background and history of this, covering the placing of the order, the construction of these two vessels and some of the political manoeuvrings around them:
Ferry Fiasco (Scotland)

Readers of the Marine Quarterly have enjoyed periodic updates on the fiasco as it's unfolded. Although 'enjoyed' might not be the right word if you are an island resident dependent on the creaking and unreliable CalMac fleet, or a Scottish taxpayer. If you are both then I imagine you're hopping up and down.

I understand the replacement Scillonian is being built overseas. Probably a good decision, but there's still potential for another fiasco there. I'm sure you'll be watching closely!

 

[SaltyC]

I understand the replacement Scillonian is being built overseas. Probably a good decision, but there's still potential for another fiasco there. I'm sure you'll be watching closely!

Hmmmm, unfortunately a previous (Labour) PM said we are no longer a manufacturing economy but a service economy, we had a profitable shipyard at Appledore in Devon, building production line 14000 ton dry cargo and 26000 ton Bulk Carriers ( Austin and Pickersgill Before Nationalisation) . Why can't we build Ferries and Crew Transfer vessels for wind farms????
All skills now as bar men and Baristas?

 

[jbweston]

I

Hmmmm, unfortunately a previous (Labour) PM said we are no longer a manufacturing economy but a service economy, we had a profitable shipyard at Appledore in Devon, building production line 14000 ton dry cargo and 26000 ton Bulk Carriers ( Austin and Pickersgill Before Nationalisation) . Why can't we build Ferries and Crew Transfer vessels for wind farms????
All skills now as bar men and Baristas?

I agree with you.

But of course, not all services are low-skill, low-value. We have some world leading musicians, rock, pop and classical, some highly successful international law firms and architect's practices, etc. - all big export earners.

On the manufacturing side Rolls-Royce aero engines and Jaguar Land Rover come to mind. Although arguably a lot of the value in jet engines is in the service element, and in a Range Rover it's the brand building not just the metal.