Comment posted Kilcreggan ferry back in limited operation by Robert Wakeham.
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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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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