WIGHTLINK - Cenred has disappeared from AIS

Wightlink Cenred has disappeared from AIS. She is not in Lymington, or crossing, nor moored in Portsmouth.

I wonder if the new ships are about to start sailing? Wightlink did say they would start at some point in January.

Caedmon is shown as crossing. Wight Sky and Wight Light still moored in Lymington. Wight Sky is still shown as a Cargo ship! I believe she was registed as this for her voyage back from Croatia, it seems odd it would not have been changed yet though.

[moaf]

Cenreds' AIS has been broken for a few weeks now, probable aerial fault. She is still in Lymington!

Wight Sky is still being shown as a cargo ship because that is what she is classed as until she is given a Passenger Certificate.

Shame! I thought perhaps those expensive new trophies sitting in Lymington might actually go and do something.

When are they actually going to start sailing, even if only on an interim safety profile? The delays are getting silly now!!

[Ian Walker]

The C Class cannot go on any longer now. As they are due for a refit now which Wightlink is not going to spend any money on them as they are over due for retirement. I wonder when these new ferries are going to start.

It is more than just a refit that is now required. When I travelled on, I think, Cenred, in November of last year I noted that its Passenger Safety Certificate expires early this year- March/ April time if I remember correctly. I would guess Caedmon is similar, and Cenwulf is already enjoying retirement.
Wightlink have already made it clear that they will not renew these certificates (for obvious reasons!), and so the new ships need to be operating regularly and reliably by then otherwise the Yarmouth/ Lymington link could be broken!

I look forward to seeing how much longer this saga can go on on for. The last work from Wightlink on it was 3rd December last year when they posted a press release saying the new ferries would start operating "in January" and that a date would be decided.

I wonder how much the new ferries are costing, just sitting there? Will they be in service before Wight Sun makes it to the UK!

[colinschandler]

If you go to the Wightlink website there are two statements detailing the problems with the risk Assessments being carried out by BMT Seatech in conjunction with Lymington Harbour Commissioners (LHC). It also states that "Wightlink had always intended the ferries to be operational by this point. (Dec2008) The situation has now become pressing as the existing ferries cannot continue in service beyond January/February next year, when their Passenger Safety Certificates will expire"

Press Statement regarding the Introduction of the Wight Class Ferries
http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/...w-ferries.aspx

3rd December - New Ferry Statement
http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/...statement.aspx

[moaf]

The C class Passenger Certificates do indeed expire soon, the Caedmon being the end of this month. It is now looking likely the Cenwulf will be brought back as her PC is the last to expire and there is a possibility hers will be extended if the MCA can see various things before she is brought back. The W class are scheduled to come in around 20/01/09 but it is feared the WAFI brigade will try and apply for some sort of court injunction to stop them operating. It is beyond a joke that these people think they can run the river and it's surrounding area. The harbour master is doing his utmost to stop the ferries - quite a strange thing as one of his final things he did as Wightlinks' Operations Director was to chair the commitee that finalised the design of the W class . It was his suggestion that the garage deck be put in, causing the height to be as it is now.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by moaf

The harbour master is doing his utmost to stop the ferries - quite a strange thing as one of his final things he did as Wightlinks' Operations Director was to chair the commitee that finalised the design of the W class . It was his suggestion that the garage deck be put in, causing the height to be as it is now.

I imagine as an employee of Wightlink he was responsible to his shareholders but as Harbour Master he feels he must represent the views of the nimby's. I wonder how many conflicting quotes from various meetings can be attributed to him in both roles ?

[Ian Walker]

What these WAFI brigade need to remember is that Wightlink has more right to run the ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth as they have been around longer then anyone else have. Thats is why they built a linkspan on the far end of the terminal, so it would not cause any interferrance to the inner harbour and when the old slipway was in use cars had to cross over the level crossing which cause alot of inconvince to the train

Originally Posted by moaf

It is now looking likely the Cenwulf will be brought back as her PC is the last to expire and there is a possibility hers will be extended if the MCA can see various things before she is brought back.

Hi Moaf, thanks for the info. Can I ask, do you work for Wightlink, because you are certainly very knowledgable.

If Cenwulf has the longest PC, I do wonder why she was the first to be retired? Is there some other problem, e.g. engine or hydraulic trouble, that would need to be attended to before she could return to service- and if so, will Wightlink really want to pay out for the repairs? Or will will see one of the others being cannibalised for parts?

I can imagine this must be very frustrating for Wightlink. If the WAFI brigade do get their way, and the service has to stop until suitable replacements can be found or the terminal could be moved, what will happen to the 2 (+1 being built) Wight class ships? I know they could go to Portsmouth but that would leave 8 (?) ships covering that route, rather excessive!!

And, how many questions can I put in one post???

Mark.