Wightlink Ferries - oh dear!

[StephenSails]

MARITIME & COASTGUARD AGENCY WITHDRAW SAFETY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATES FROM WIGHTLINK FERRIES

Earlier today the MCA withdrew the ISM Document of Compliance and Safety Management Certificates from the Wightlink Fast Ferries:

* Fastcat Ryde
* Fastcat Shanklin
* Our Lady Patricia
* Our Lady Pamela

Removal of these certificates will result in the immediate suspension of services on these ferries. The reason for the withdrawal is the consideration that the Company is unable to operate these vessels without creating a risk of serious danger to safety of life and property without undertaking further corrective measures. The concerns have come to the attention of the Agency as a result of investigation into a recent incident.

The action does not affect the services of the Company's ro-ro ferries.

Passengers who are booked on the affected fast craft are advised to contact the Company directly or the travel agent from whom they booked their tickets.

The MCA has advised Wightlink of their decision and have asked that the Company contact the Agency directly to discuss proposals in order to restore the withdrawn certificates.


For further information please contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:

 

[ChrisE]

Forward it to Ian Grant, might cheer him up!

 

[jimbouy]

Whoops!!!

That's the entire fastcat "fleet" bar one I think.



Jim

 

[rickp]

In relation to the engine fires they had back in May, I believe.

Rick

 

[Guest]

OH bloody hell !!!!

Solent waters will be safe for a while then .....

For MCA to do that is serious .... considering that temp cert's and limited ones can be given !!!

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Re: OH bloody hell !!!!

I reckon Red Funnel's behind this . . .

 

[plombier]

That'll b*gg*r up the plans of a few jetskis at the weekend then - no wakes to jump. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[plombier]

[ QUOTE ]
Whoops!!! That's the entire fastcat "fleet" bar one I think.

[/ QUOTE ]

Err no - that's the lot. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[iangrant]

great news - reckon they'll bl**dy well move 'em out here now

cheers

ian

 

[ChrisE]

I've given them your new address, wouldn't be fair otherwise.

 

[Mike21]

According to radio it was two engine fires on one fast cat, one of which wasn,t reported.
Seems a bit of an overkill to pull the safety certs of the 4 fastcats , if only one had a problem

 

[l'escargot]

Looks like they didn't report them because they feared the consequences - shows how conceited they are if they think they can disregard the MCA

 

[jimbouy]

Yep... my mistake.

 

[tome]

[ QUOTE ]
Seems a bit of an overkill

[/ QUOTE ]

You don't fail to report a potentially major incident such as an engine fire on a passenger vessel which carries nearly 400 people. Two days on the trot.

Wightlink did fail. They've been discovered and shut down. Quite right IMO and good action by MCA to suspend their safety certificates.

 

[oldharry]

Re: OH bloody hell !!!!

[ QUOTE ]
Solent waters will be safe for a while then .....


[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately not: the Ro Ro fleet, who are the ones who think they have right of way over anything under around 20m length, are unaffected.

Its only the Fast cats that are banned.

 

[Evadne]

Re: OH bloody hell !!!!

And according to the news last night, they are going to be chartering some replacement vessels until they've grovelled to the MCA sufficiently to get their own boats recertificated.

 

[plombier]

According to the latest reports 2 ferries have had their Certs re-instated and are back in operation.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Saw one of the large, newer, double-deckers running yesterday morning.

Of course, if you want to travel from Portsmouth to Ryde, there is also the hover. Takes half the time of the cat, and puts you in Ryde itself, rather than at the end of the pier. Mind you, some might say that the end of the pier is as close as anybody might want to get to Ryde.

 

[Rob_Webb]

I'd definitely agree that the best thing about Ryde is the ferry out of there.