The Kilcreggan ferry service has been suspended because of ‘several serious defects’ found in an inspection of the Island Princess.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed that this is the reason why the boat has not sailed since yesterday lunchtime – operators Clydelink said on Twitter that it was ‘a technical matter’.
An MCA statement said today: “As part of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (ongoing survey and inspection protocol, the vessel ‘Island Princess’ operated by Clydelink was inspected by MCA surveyors yesterday (1st June 2017) and found to be in a poor state of repair with several serious defects noted.
“As a result of this inspection, the vessel was detained and withdrawn from passenger service.
“We await confirmation from the operator that all defects have been rectified at which point the vessel will be re-inspected by MCA surveyors prior to release.”
Free buses and taxis have been taking passengers on the 50-mile journey between Gourock and Kilcreggan since yesterday, instead of a ferry journey which takes 13 minutes.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) renewed Clydelink’s contract to run the service earlier this year, despite the company increasing the cost by £88,000 a year.
Five years ago an MCA inspection found a total of 14 faults on the Island Princess, each of which had to be rectified before the ferry could sail again.
Local MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Whilst the long term ambition is to have the ferry service run by the Scottish Government, it is essential that the current service is safe and that the ferry is well maintained. MCA is right to act, as the safety of passengers must always be paramount.
“In the past the operator had promised a back up service that never materialised and although buses have been arranged as a replacement, passengers are inconvenienced.
“I have contacted SPT as we need to ensure that Clydelink are required to maintain the ferry to the very best standards. Anything less is simply unacceptable.”
The replacement bus/taxi service leaves Gourock and Kilcreggan at 0700, 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 then Gourock at 1813 and Kilcreggan at 1836.
Well a local contractor that has an excellent reputation and someone who knows what they are doing with boats should have been used, instead of penny pinching. “Buy cheap buy twice comes to mind”.
Even after the faults are repaired,and the ferry re-examined,how many passengers could ever trust the company to keep it that way in the future? Safety cannot be allowed to be breached in public transport. Contract should be withdrawn immediately, and re-tendered pronto. Surely Clyde Marine,or Western Ferries would provide a safe and reliable service.
Been watching the deterioration of the condition of the boat for months. I was astounded that this contract was renewed considering passengers have complained about a service well below standard for many years. We lost the link to Helensburgh provided by the previous operator. We lost the service on Sunday. There is no access for disabled passengers. There is no resilience to the service. I was gutted when I realise we were staying with the same. Very poor business decision by our council.
I have raised this with Stuart McMillan and Jamie Greene, MSPs representing Inverclyde, to see what pressure they can bring to bear. Will update.