Ferry Q & A’s from Public Meeting

 

Disclaimer

We’ve made every effort to report the question and answer session accurately.  In many cases we have summarised the speakers’ words rather than report them verbatim.  We apologise in advance for any errors and omissions – and would be grateful for any corrections.  However, we believe that those present will recognise that the following reflects the sense of the speakers’ words. 

Mr John Beaumont

Q: I expect that Wightlink will order a third ferry as they’ll operate three?  They’re showing a £67m loss in their accounts – I’d be interested in their business plan.

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: We intend to have 3 ferries and are in the process of exercising our option for ferry number 3.

Cllr Annna Rostand

I’d like to comment on how well informed our speakers are.  I came here knowing very little and we’ve all learned a lot.

Mr Ian Deighton

Q: Would Mr Griffiths agree that sailing would be safer if Dan Brown’s marina hadn’t been built?

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: We’ve increased the water depth in that space, which improves safety.

Mr Keith Wickes

Q: My concern is with moorings and ferry speeds - they exceed the limit by an amount.  Lower speed limits are required.  How will LHC monitor/ what sanctions do they have?

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: We anticipated this and have installed an AIS system [which identifies vessels and gives their course and speed].

 

Mr John Sommers

Q: LHC has limited powers.  After the tests, who gives the ‘crunch’ answer? 

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: There will be a set of parameters and it will be Wightlink’s decision as to whether they can operate within them.

 

Mr Stuart Duffyn

Q:  Modern technology can give you an idea of the impact of the new ferries via simulation.  This would give us the answers without waiting for the sea trials. 

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: We are already in discussion with BMT on such a study and anticipate it will take place between now and Christmas.

 

Mr Mark Pidsley

I sail and have worked on the ferries.  Wightlink’s operations are regularly in breach of the bye-laws but they are never held to account.  LHC must hold them accountable.  The tests simulate operations in deep water and are misleading – they do not reproduce conditions in the river.

 

Mr Marcus Ford

I’m a helmsman for Wightlink.  The creation of the marinas has had more impact than the ferries.  There’s more wave interaction caused by ribs – we only operate at 2 or 3 knots.  Hasn’t all the dredging for pontoons done more damage to flora and fauna?  We don’t scour the river banks – if anything we scour the centre of the channel

 

Mr Alan Booking

Q: We do need the ferry service to the IoW but this looks like a ‘fait-accompli’.

Dr Donald McKenzie

A: Just because the ferries have been built, LHC don’t have to accept them.  The community does not have to accept them.  LHC can say no.

 

Mr Peter Hebbard

Q: You gave us assurances on the environmental impact and additional traffic on this route.  Will you agree you’ll only introduce the new ferries when you satisfy your own conditions e.g. on lorries – will you limit capacity to what the roads can take? 

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: We don’t forsee significant freight increases, but I can’t guarantee that – you’d have to ask the freight operators.  I agree we’d need to look at it if there was.

  

Rt Hon Desmond Swayne MP

I want to say how useful this meeting has been.  Apologies from Julian Lewis, who had a long-standing appointment.  He & I will do what we can.  My fear is that this will be resolved by judicial process – Natural England is not as omnipotent as Mr Derrick thinks.  I’m surprised that as the statutory body, they have not provided a representative at this meeting.

Mr Derrick

Q: You say there the new ferries will carry 113 tonnes deadweight surplus to requirements on this route.  Why? 

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: I didn’t design the vessels.  They have a 330 deadweight capacity.  We expect to make use of 200-220 tonnes in normal circumstances and full capacity on ocasions.

 

Mr Adam Rae

Q: Can you tell me how does the harbour’s income split up in terms of private boat users and Wightlink?

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: Approximately 80% from boat users, 2% from fishermen and 18% from Wightlink.

 

Mr Jason Tillett

Q: Is it Wightlink’s intention that the new ferries will pass each other in the Lymington River?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: Yes, in order to maintain the current schedule.

 

Mr Jason Tillett

Q: So, there will be twice the effect on the riverbed.  Will you include the interaction betyween two vessels in your tests?

Mr Peter Griffiths Chairman Lymington Harbour Commissioners

A: We have already warned Wightlink that it might not be acceptable for ferries to pass in the river.  The sea trials are needed before we can say.

 

Mr Richard Bagnell

Q: Are the ferries on the Portsmouth/ Fishbourne roue the same size as the new ferries?  Why not use them to carry out the sea trials?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: No the ferries on the Portsmouth route are 78 to 80 metres.

 

Gent who operated slides for Derf Paton

Q: Why not just build smaller ferries?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: Smaller ferries would not make the route viable.  You’d need 4 or 5 vessels to carry the same traffic.

 

 

Cllr Tony Swayne

Q: Don’t forget the effect on traffic of the Webbs site, which will add 300 houses.  Road haulage tends to be profitable when it operates at night.  Do you have any plans for 24 hour operation?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: We already run 24 hours but freight operators don’t want it – there’s been a move back to daytime traffic.

 

Mr Phil Kirby

We’re regular travellers on the ferry and we appreciate Wightlinks service and their staff, who are friendly.

 

Mr Dennis Peters

Q: What was McQuarrie’s business plan when they bought the ferry system?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: We could get a better return on other investments.  The Board insisted that we maintain services to the IoW.  The re-financing releases funds for the new ferries..

 

M/s Rodgers

Q:  Wightlink had told us there was no difference in the footprint – now it’s clear there is.

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: I accept that the new ferries are wider at water level, though I don’t know if the figures we’ve heard are correct.

 

M/s Rodgers

Q:  What would it take to withdraw your programme?

Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive, Wightlink

A: We’ll have to wait until we see what the risk assessment shows.