The new Lymington ferries report

[ChrisE]

As it happens I followed one of the new ferries out of the river on Saturday. And as it happens again the ferries crossed in the river in front of me.

A few observations:

1. They are undoubtedly higher and will cause more of a wind shadow.

2. The wash of the vessels was no more, possibly a bit less, than the old ferries, I deliberately cut close behind one of them and felt no real wash.

3. Can't comment on their draft only to observe that at LW+2 they weren't causing any mud to rise nor was there any noticable bow wave or ground effect on the river.

4. There seemed to be plenty of room at the passing place for the two to cross, although for the life of me I don't understand why the ferries have ever crossed in the river when they have a couple of miles of Solent to pass in.

Lastly, they seem to go a fair bit faster when out of the river.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Far more wash created by planing hulled motor boats just doing 6/7/8 knots and sucking their sterns down ... I don't think they ever look astern these people ... or if they do, they don't care!

 

[sailor211]

To quote the on board announcement in the ferries on Sunday, "we are progressing slowly as the ferris are new and we want to take care at this introductory stage" which I take to mean, that when they have proved there is no impact the speed in the ricer will increase as will wash and displacement when full.

 

[ChrisE]

Well on Saturday, they were travelling at the regulation 6 knots in and out of the river, so I can only assume that they are referring to their speed once out of the river....

 

[boatmike]

Nice to have a balanced report Chris rather than the "We are all doomed" reaction.
Personally I am neither in favour or against them but as long as they keep to the 6 Knot limit I don't see why we should object on principle. It's not what they are that is important, it's how they are driven.
Bit worried about the statement on board that indicates they are watching their speed "because they are new" though. That's obviously rubbish and can only be taken as "we are behaving ourselves at the moment because everyone is watching" Lets hope they continue to do so....

 

[doris]

Which VHF channel

Which VHF channel will the ferries be on so that one can talk directly to them and ask that they keep their speed to 6 knots. Presumably the HM will be on the same channel?

 

[andy59]

Pease dont tar all moboers with the same brush Kittern , I am personaly very aware of my wash and speed . Can you defend yachtsmen who set sail whilst still in the river and leave the helm unnatended whilst doing so !! .SWMBO gets very agitated when helming in river and boats are taking short cuts etc . Not attacking all yachty types but there are good and bad on both sides . /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif And as for the new ferrys , when they get going out of the river we thought it would get up on the plane /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ChrisE]

Re: Which VHF channel

I've no idea re VHF channel and I'm not sure that it is necessary. I've sailed in and out of Lym for the past 10 years or so and can't recall seeing a ferry exceeding the speed limit.

Regarding Bamboleo's comments I agree there's good and bad in both camps.

 

[Robin]

Wash from the new ferries wasn't my concern although it is to those worried about erosion of the saltmarshes.

I too fail to understand why they chose to pass inside the river and not in the open water outside.

My concern is more about the size and meeting one in the really narrow parts of the channel of which there are several, especially at LW. When you pass any large vessel that close in shallow water there is a suction effect that tends to draw you towards it and especially so if you are moving very slowly with very little momentum to keep you straight. There is also a different effect from the Lymington ferries arising from the type of propulsion system they use with a directable drive at all four corners which can blast water in any direction and can shove you sideways significantly as you pass by, again the more so the slower you are going.

The river I would suggest is quiet at this time of year with few small boats about all trying to dodge the ferry, likewise the ferry is probably lightly loaded and not at full displacement weight. The worst time will be when all the bad bits come together, lots of dinghies and small boats about, a windy day and a fully laden ferry. Sod's law seems to mean that you meet the ferry at a narrow bit with small boats on either side of the channel and with the ferry forced into being dead centre the space on either side to pass or be passed is very much less and now the extra size of the new ferry over the old one really will make a difference. The bits I'm concerned about are in the outer river where the tides run fast across the channel and there is no escape outside of the marked channel for deep keel boats, as well as above the wavebreak where there are moorings close by on both sides and two marinas and RLymYC's moorings feeding in extra traffic into the channel, sometimes it seems filter traffic lights would help!

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I wasn't tarring all moboers with the same brush, just stating that planing hulls doing 6/7/8 knots make a big wash. Sailing boats sailing in the river, not just motorsailing with the main up when leaving, are equally stupid - but they don't make the wash! It's the wash that most of the kerfuffle is about, and being bigger and thus leaving less room to manoeuvre, especially those of us who draw a few feet! Personally I don't think the size makes a great deal of difference, but if they start speeding up in the river and then making a big wash, thay should be torpedoed!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: Which VHF channel

[ QUOTE ]
Which VHF channel will the ferries be on so that one can talk directly to them and ask that they keep their speed to 6 knots. Presumably the HM will be on the same channel?

[/ QUOTE ] The HM is watching them on AIS and has been for some months.

Apart from still crossing in the river, they are also stopping further up to wait for their 'buddy' to come off the dock.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Have the old ones been withdrawn, or are there now double the number of ferries burbling about?

 

[maxi]

Neither the size nor the wash worry me - but the displacement does!

With the old ferries, they actually REDUCE the depth of water approx 100m ahead of them, particularly at the lower end of the tide.

Threfore it was not unusual to have 1.5' under the keel and then in a moment find yourself firmly agound and heeled due to lack of water. This naturally also prohibits you from being able to take any anti- collision measures whilst aground, which ferry skippers seem not to comprehend.

With the new ferries displacing hugely more than the old, this problem can only be exacerbated and, if you have a motor boat following closely behind you, he will continue as you are suddenly stopped and grounded - serious injury or even loss of life could easily ensue from this scenario.

Deepening the channel seems ultimately sensible, and to hell with the QUANGOs who seem to have authority but no responsibility.

 

[ChrisE]

The old ferries have gone as far as I'm aware.

 

[alant]

The old ferries have gone as far as I'm aware.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yep, didn't get thru' MOT

 

[BlueSkyNick]

they were't even taken through MOT as I understand it - Shitelink didnt bother trying.

The are still tied up at the dock, or at least one was yesterday.

Probably come back into service in another less fortunate part of the world sooner or later.

 

[jimi]

Blinkin' eck Nick, I'd get another avator if I were you .. that one does'nt do justice to your stunningly youth good looks and elegant deportment

 

[jimi]

[ QUOTE ]
The old ferries have gone as far as I'm aware.


[/ QUOTE ]

Nope there's still tons of old faires here, mate. Geeza kiss!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I'll gi' yin a Glasgae kiss, Jimmy!