Comment posted Kilcreggan ferry back in limited operation by Councillor George Freeman.
STV were at Kilcreggan today filming and interviewing for a report that will appear on the evening news tomorrow (Friday).
I can confirm that the restriction to carry a maximum of 12 passengers was lifted at 5.00 pm today.
I recently submitted a request to Audit Scotland to carry out an investigation into the SPT tendering and contract process for this ferry service. They have confirmed that they have now asked SPT’s external auditors to take a look at the information I have provided and to report back to them before they consider what further action may be necessary.
Recent comments by Councillor George Freeman
- Labour MSP Rhoda Grant’s response to Struan Lodge decision
Having now taken the time to read the original Breslin / Blair motion and what FA tells us was eventually agreed by the Council yesterday, this appears to be a serious climb down by Breslin and Blair.It is now clear that the Breslin / Blair motion would not have been supported by the Council and that is why the compromise by Walsh had to be put forward. We know that the ten Helensburgh councillors support the closure of all Council run care homes because of the ridiculously high costs and would never have supported the Breslin / Blair motion.
Even the Walsh motion that was approved by the Council did not lift the moratorium on placing any new residents in Struan Lodge. All it has done has kicked the issue into the long grass for a couple of months. That was to get Cllr Morton and her Lib Dem colleagues and Cllr Mulvaney and his Tory colleagues to support the Walsh motion.
In their motion that they were forced to withdraw, Breslin and Blair had asked for the Council to rescind the moratorium on new admissions with immediate effect. They were forced to backtrack on this as it was clear that Walsh and the opposition councillors would not support such a proposal.
They should be asked why they decided that they would continue to support the moratorium when the opposition clearly had the numbers to force any decision through the Council and by doing so, have let the Struan Lodge residents and staff down.
- Three administration members vote against agreed budgetary position on Struan Lodge
Having now taken the time to read the original Breslin / Blair motion and what FA tells us was eventually agreed by the Council today, this appears to be a serious climb down by Breslin and Blair.It is now clear that the Breslin / Blair motion would not have been supported by the Council and that is why the compromise by Walsh had to be put forward. We know that the ten Helensburgh councillors support the closure of all Council run care homes and would never have supported the Breslin / Blair motion.
Even the Walsh motion that was approved by the Council did not lift the moratorium on placing any new residents in Struan Lodge. All it has done has kicked the issue into the long grass for a couple of months.
In their motion that they were forced to withdraw, Breslin and Blair had asked for the Council to rescind the moratorium on new admissions with immediate effect. They were forced to backtrack on this as it was clear that Walsh and the opposition councillors would not support such a proposal.
They should be asked why they decided that they would continue to support the moratorium when the opposition clearly had the numbers to force any decision through the Council and by dooing so, have let the Struan Lodge residents and staff down
- MSP v Council Leader now ‘last man standing’ face-off with SNP and Argyll the losers
MB, you say that “The whole M Breslin and Blair thing is a joke, whilst the two of them where turned over by there party it’s refreshing to see at least one did the right thing”.Given that he was elected on an SNP ticket, surely the right thing would be for Mike Breslin to resign as a councillor and then take his chance in the subsequent by-election as a Tory / Lib Dem / Labour / Independent candidate? Surely that would be the honerable thing to do?
It looks like he does not have the courage of his convictions.
- Struan Lodge on agenda for today’s council meeting
Simon, you are not far of the mark. How about the Argyll First lot (Philand, Kelly and McAlpine)? It is clear that they do not have the guts (or backbone) to take a hard decision and are happy for their own constituents to subsidise Struan Lodge in Dunoon when their own constituents will see services to their own eldery folk in the Mid Argyll area being cut. - Struan Lodge on agenda for today’s council meeting
Neil, it is clear that you do not have clue as to what you are talking about.
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It’s the replacement ferry (forget the name) not the Island Princess in service at the moment.
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Thank you – so it’s the Cailin Oir.
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The Cailin Oir is running at limited capacity because she does not have a passenger certificate.
Q1 Is it right in any sense that a commercial ferry should be able to operate without a certificate?
Q2 If Clydelink are prepared to run the ferry without certification why did they not do this sooner?
Q3 With 40+ base workers turning up for the ferry who gets to go first, will they draw lots like they would have to for an inside seat on Island Princess?
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In response to Q1, there are quite literally dozens of ferries sailing around the coastline of Britain, limited to carrying no more than a dozen hardy souls, because they do not have a passenger certificate.
Quite why Clydelink chose not to have the Cailin Oir ready, and with a full certificate, is another matter! There again, I don’t suppose they anticipated IP running into bother so soon?
I see now from the Kilcreggan ferry website, there’s no mention of the restriction – has it been lifted?
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so if CAILIN OIR has no passenger certificate she will be running on a leisure craft licence which requires no safety inspections?
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There is a code MGN 280 which covers commercial vessels which have certain restrictions, normally relating to tonnage, length, operational areas, and duties. This certification is common. Principally assigned by the MCA for the carriage of not more than 12 passengers in sheltered waters
She will have a valid small commercial vessel certificate, which will detail her classification on board. Without sight of her certification it would be guessing as to what other restrictions she may have. Nobody can imply that she is unsafe, unless there is a breach of her certification. Does this vessel fulfill the ferry contract – probably not? I’m only a shipboard lawyer so don’t take this as gospel.
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I see the Kilcreggan ferry has now been restricted to carrying no more than 12 passengers due to inadequate crew qualifications.
Three cheers for SPT!
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The Kilcreggan Ferry service has now hit the BBC Scotland News website on the 24th May , not a great news story either for either SPT nor Clydelink. The MCA carried out checks on the vessels themselves and found that the crew did not have the qualifications to operate a passenger service and the boats had to be put on restricted numbers sailing (12) at a time. SPT are wholly to blame for this fiasco , they didn’t do sufficient checks about Clydelink Ltd before handing them the tender. Give us back Clyde Marine boys.
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STV were at Kilcreggan today filming and interviewing for a report that will appear on the evening news tomorrow (Friday).
I can confirm that the restriction to carry a maximum of 12 passengers was lifted at 5.00 pm today.
I recently submitted a request to Audit Scotland to carry out an investigation into the SPT tendering and contract process for this ferry service. They have confirmed that they have now asked SPT’s external auditors to take a look at the information I have provided and to report back to them before they consider what further action may be necessary.
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TWO MEN RESCUED AFTER CAPSIZING DINGHY
At 11.30 am today, Clyde Coastguard observed a small dinghy, from their operations room, that had been launched from Cardwell Bay slipway, with two men aboard.
Whilst the dinghy was being watched by the Coastguard, one of the men stood up and fell into the water, capsizing the dinghy, and throwing the other man into the water.
Clyde Coastguard called out the Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and requested the launch of the Helensburgh RNLI inshore lifeboat.
The Clyde Harbour Pilot Boat, which was already on the water, responded to the Coastguards request for help and recovered the two men (only one of whom was wearing a lifejacket) from the water.
The men were brought to shore to be met by waiting coastguards and an ambulance. They were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of the cold water.
Calum Murray, Watch Manager, Clyde Coastguard said:
Small boats are unstable platforms so be careful when moving around and try to distribute your weight as evenly as possible.
We recommend that recreational sailors and motorboaters wear lifejackets at all times whilst on deck. These should be well maintained and have a sprayhood, light and whistle if possible. A crotch strap is an important part of the lifejacket as it stops it from riding up whilst in the water, so make sure that you wear it. Check your lifejacket over regularly, paying particular attention to the gas canister – make sure that it is properly connected and is not rusty.
Make sure that you have a suitable method of communication with you. A VHF DSC radio is ideal with a charged mobile phone in a plastic bag and marine flares as back-up. Remember though, that a mobile phone cannot be relied upon since signal quality is often intermittent at best when at sea.
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