BBC RADIO MERSEYSIDE CHARITABLE TRUST - Special Sailing

There will be a special Mersey Ferries river cruise on Tuesday, May 6th with the proceeds going to the BBC

Radio Merseyside Charitable Trust. The cruise departs Pier Head at 10.30, with pick ups at Woodside and Seacombe.

Duration will be three hours and we hope to make it to the Bar. Cost is £15. On board there will be a commentary from Mersey River Pilot Stuart Wood, there may also be a "Naturewatcher" on board to give a commentary on any birdlife

Tickets for this cruise are available through the Trust office on 01517940995.

PEEL PORTS

It is expected that the Heysham #3 Link Span which was originally built for use by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co at Douglas and later moved to Heysham by Sea Containers is to be removed from it's position at Heysham on by the local tug SEA TROJAN. The span will initially be berthed alongside north quay before being towed to the Mersey at a later date for possible overhaul reuse or sale. The span will be replaced by a new one similar to that installed on the #1 berth last year.

ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY

A  ship  which  has  been at the  heart  of  every  major conflict over the past 25 years is visiting Cornwall this weekend.

The  landing support ship, SIR BEDIVERE, named after  one of  the  Knights of the Round Table, will be  paying  her last  visit to the resort - and her twin town - of  Fowey before being replaced.

She is the last of Britain's "Knights of the Round Table" Royal  Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships which helped  liberate the Falklands to be still in service.

RFA SIR BEDIVERE was one of a class of six landing ship logistics laid down in the 1960s. She has continued to fulfil a key role right to the very end of her life. All ships and submarines of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary are affiliated to different towns, cities and regions. RFA SIR BEDIVERE  has been affiliated with Fowey since 2005, enjoying close ties with the local community.

She has a busy programme during her four-day stay, including hosting a number of dignitaries at both an evening reception and Captain's lunch. Members of the ship's company will attend a reception given by the town council at Galleon Inn, also attended by transatlantic rowers Nick Histon and John Csehi. Weather permitting, the ship will be open to the general public on the afternoon of February 23.

This is a chance for visitors to learn more about life on the ocean waves and what it is like to live and work onboard a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel. Admission is free.

Captain David Buck, RFA SIR BEDIVERE 's final commanding officer, said: "SIR BEDIVERE  has served the RFA and her country with distinction in a number of hot spots over the years and is now completing her commission in a blaze of glory.

"I feel hugely privileged to bring the last ship of her class home after such a high-profile final deployment, and even more privileged that her last port of call should be her adopted hometown of Fowey."

The last 12 months of SIR BEDIVERE 's service has been spent in the Northern Arabian Gulf, where her presence has been fundamental to training Iraq's burgeoning Navy and Marines.

The Iraqis used the ship as a floating base, under the guidance of the Royal Navy. The ship was also home to American fast boats patrolling Iraq's oil platforms. Four of SIR BEDIVERE 's sister ships have been paid off; a fifth, RFA Sir Galahad, was sunk as a war grave off the Falklands.

SIR BEDIVERE  was damaged in an air raid at San Carlos during the initial Falkland landings. Bombs damaged the crane, mast and forecastle but she was repaired and continued fighting. After the cessation of hostilities, she brought home the bodies of the British fallen. During 2003, she played an essential role in the amphibious assault on the Al Faw Peninsula for Operation Telic, Iraq.

The Santander newspaper 'El Diario Montañes' of 6 February has a report on Brittany Ferries' Santander route. Last year's passenger total was 160,945 on 83 calls (74 by the PONT AVEN and nine by the BRETAGNE); one sailing, on 10 December, was cancelled by the weather.

It was the third best year in the route's history, after 1994 (168,496 passengers) and 1996 (162,551).

Average per call was 1939 passengers (1932 in 2006), 459 cars (451) and 699 tons of freight (632). The busiest arrival was on 30 July (1789 passengers), the busiest departure was on 27 August (1718), the busiest day was 13 August (3020 passengers), and the busiest minicruise was on 28 May (420).

The Hoylake and West Kirby News reported that three workmen working on Caledonian MacBrayne's CLANSMAN which recently underwent her annual overhaul at at Cammell Laird had to undergo decontamination following an incident on Sunday February 10, 2008.

Fears were raised that they had been in contact with a noxious chemical during the incident on Sunday. Decontamination tents were set up outside casualty at Arrowe Park Hospital to isolate and treat the men.

A spokesman for the ship's owners, Caledonian MacBrayne, said "It's still not established what caused thier symptoms but we do know they are alright now. They were given precautionary decontamination treatment as we had no idea what the cause could have been and that's as it should be. They have had several tests. Until we get the results, we won't know what caused the problem. However, no-one else on board has suffered and it was quite simply an isolated incident - it's very odd but these things can happen"

Police and firefighters were called to the initial incident but were only needed to offer advice. The three were carrying a routine diesel transfer when the accident took place. NV Clansman will remain in dock for the last two weeks of a three week stint in which it is undergoing a fuel conversion.

DUBLIN PORT COMPANY

Dublin Port Company has reported a recovery in the number of people travelling by ferry through the port last year.

It says more than 1.3 million people travelled by ferry through Dublin Port, an increase of 11.5% on 2006 and a reversal of the recent years' decline.

The number of tourist cars rose by 6% to 271,320. Five five ferry companies sail from Dublin Port: Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Norfolkline, P&O Irish Sea and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.  [RTÉ]

A former director general of Brittany Ferries has died, it has been announced.

Christian Michielini, who was director general between 1975 and 1997, died last week. Mr Michielini, who was 73, was married with five children.

He met Alexis Gourvennec, founder of Brittany Ferries, in May 1974.

Together they embarked on a partnership which was to develop Brittany Ferries into the successful European company it is today. [This is Plymouth]

MGC Chartering Limited and Australian aluminium high speed catamaran specialists Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd are pleased to announce an order for Incat's third state-of-the-art 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran due for delivery in February 2009.

Incat Hull 066, the latest vessel in the successful 112 metre range from Incat, is specifically designed with the European ferry market in mind. The new craft will operate at speeds of approximately 40 knots while offering capacity for up to 417 cars or 567 lane metres of trucks and 195 cars. The stylish accommodation has been arranged to cater for 1200 persons in high levels of luxurious comfort.

The buyer, MGC Chartering, is an Irish based leasing company that can provide a wide range of financial solutions to ferry operators including longer term bareboat charters of both new and second hand vessels. MGC Chartering Director Darryl Tishler said "We have over 25 years of experience in aviation leasing and in founding MGC Chartering we have adapted that very successful aviation model to the needs of the ferry market. Our intention is to acquire quality assets like the Incat 112 metre wave piercing catamaran and then market a range of charter options to potential global operators, be they commercial or military."

Mr Tishler added "in choosing the Incat 112 metre we have drawn other lessons from the aviation model, for example, the ever increasing importance of minimising fuel burn and environmental impact. The Incat 112 metre is built to be as light as possible, it consumes clean diesel fuel, for maximum efficiency it offers dual speed operation (23 or 40 knots), NOx emissions are <10g/kWh and importantly, it burns less fuel per cargo tonne per nautical mile than any other high speed ferry built to date. The economic and environmental credentials of the Incat 112 metre wave piercing catamaran are outstanding."

The Incat 112 metre is the largest catamaran ever built in Australia and it provides unparalled seakeeping and passenger comfort even on rough open sea routes. Power is supplied by four MAN 20V 28/33D diesel engines, each rated 9000 kW at 1000 rpm and consuming <190g/kWh.

• Hull 066 Principal particulars
• Length overall: 112.60m
• Beam (moulded): 30.50m
• Draught: approximately 3.93m
• Speed: approximately 40 knots
• Fuel consumption: 116 litres per nautical mile @23 knots and 950 tonnes deadweight
• 143 litres per nautical mile @23 knots and 1450 tonnes deadweight
• 185 litres per nautical mile @38 knots and 900 tonnes deadweight
• Deadweight: Up to 1450 tonnes
• Total persons: 1200 persons
• Vehicle Deck: 567 truck-lane metres plus 195 cars or a total of 417 cars.

A meeting with the Irish marine ministry focusing on flag of convenience shipping has paved the way for a closer working relationship between the ITF, its Irish affiliates and the Irish government.

The meeting took place at the ministry's head office in Dublin on 17 January. It was attended by representatives from the Irish ITF-affiliated Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (Siptu), ITF inspector Ken Fleming and the Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey. The head of the department and head of the Irish Coast Guard were also present.

During the discussions, ITF and Siptu representatives outlined International Labour Organization conventions relating to states' responsibility to respond to seafarers' requests for assistance. They explained how crucial this was in light of the number of seafarers who disappear without a trace - some 1,500 annually. Requests for assistance were frequently followed by the detention of a vessel, they said.

The debate also focused on ITF inspections and how in some cases the ITF was preventing from boarding vessels, in particular ships operated by Norfolk Line. Other issues discussed included the role of the health and safety authority and the port state control.

Fleming stated: "The meeting was very positive. The Minister quickly realised the grave consequences that could arise should we not be in a position to respond to a call for assistance from a seafarer in distress. He also stated that his department would investigate ways of assisting the ITF to gain entry to Norfolk Line's facilities so that access to ships is not obstructed.

"We are hopeful that these discussions will lead to greater collaboration with the Irish government to tackle substandard shipping."

EXPRESS sailed from Donegall Quay, Belfast to dry-dock at Harland and Wolff, Belfast, at 08:50 on January 29. She is expected to remain there for around 16 days. EXPRESS re-enters service at Larne - Troon/Cairnryan on 13 March.

SEATRUCK FERRIES

Seatruck ships reliably sail back and forth across the Irish Sea on a regular basis and apart from news of dry dockings, new vessel acquisitions and  the new buildings little appears to happen.

It is believed that this caused some of the cargo carried on the trailers to shift and resulted in the ship listing by up to 60 degrees in stormy seas, power was lost and the vessel began drifting towards land.

With Fleetwood and Lytham lifeboats summoned and helicopters from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Irish Coastguard in attendance the four passengers and 19 crew were plucked to safety in a daring rescue operation.

Some of the crew remained on board in an attempt to restart the engines - however this was not possible and she beached at Cleveleys between Blackpool and Fleetwood.

Lloyds List reported that the company has signed a Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract with Dutch salvors Smit who have sent a team to the site to assess the situation and prepare a plan to refloat the ship.

The ship is not carrying any hazardous cargo.

The "dancers" are tough little ships and one hopes that RIVERDANCE will be refloated and returned to service.

Ferry bosses are still pushing ferry fares down for visitors and shoving them up for locals - although not as much as they originally planned.

The council chiefs have finally unveiled how much they aim to charge passengers using the South Hams Council owned Lower Ferry operation across the River Dart at Dartmouth. They want to actually cut the £3.30 crossing charge by 30p after seeing a major fall in the numbers of visitors using the ferry last year.

But they will be increasing the cost of concessionary tickets, bought in books mainly by local people, from £1 a crossing to £1.20.

That is a lot less than the £1.50 increase which was originally planned, which provoked a storm of protests from Dartmouth's councillors.

Dartmouth town councillor Francis Hawke said he thought the new proposal, which will have to be finally approved by the district council next month, was a fair compromise for Dartmouth.

"I think that it is acceptable. I am happy with what they are proposing. What had been suggested was too much. It was far too big a jump," he added.

Mr Hawke wants the council to go one step further and set up a locals' ferry pass so that anyone in the South Hams can get a discount on using the ferry by producing their pass.

He explained it would save the council having to produce and sell the concessionary tickets, stop visitors from buying the concessionary tickets to get cheaper crossings and give everyone in the South Hams the chance to get a ferry crossing discount.

He wants to see it included in the free parking proposals the council has pledged it will investigate later this year.

That scheme involves giving residents of the South Hams a pass which will allow them to park free in council-owned car parks across the district before 10.30am each morning and after 4pm in the afternoon.

Mr Hawke said the move to increase concessionary ferry fares by 50 per cent would have been a 'bad deal' for the people of Dartmouth.

Back in October when the original ferry fare changes were put forward, district councillors were told that the £1-a-crossing concessionary ticket meant that Dartmouth residents were getting the biggest cut-rate ferry deal in the country.

They were also told that even if it went up to £1.50, it would still not cover the cost of the actual ferry crossing.

Meanwhile the numbers of people using Dartmouth's Lower ferry has been falling and the operation is not expected to meet its income targets.

Kingswear and Dartmouth councillors and residents were angry at the proposed increase in the cheap tickets and when it was discussed a second time earlier this month, the district councillors decided to hold the debate behind closed doors with the public and press excluded.

The new figures they came up with were agreed without comment at this week's executive meeting before the council finally announced what they would be.

[The Is South Devon]

STENA EUROPE is currently refitting at Cammell Laird #5 dry dock.

Hopes of reactivating a Cork-Swansea ferry link received a significant setback last night, which makes it highly unlikely a service will be in place for the summer tourist season.

A consortium, lead by a Kerryman, has seen its plans of leasing a €16 million ferry from a Scandinavian company dashed.

The consortium had sought to buy the Color Line-owned CHRISTIAN IV — which operates between Norway and Denmark.

However, Color Line has not been able to acquire a replacement vessel (caused by delays at Aker Yards) as quickly as it had hoped and will have to keep the CHRISTIAN IV in service longer than anticipated.

Port of Cork marketing manager, Captain Michael McCarthy, admitted it was a severe setback.

"There’s no doubt this is a setback. We are still endeavouring to find another suitable vessel, but due to the late timescale it is highly unlikely we will have a service up and running for the summer," he said.

However, he said he was still hopeful the route will be reopened for 2009. "I still think this is a commercially viable route," he said.

The latest news will have a negative impact on the Cork and Kerry tourist industry. A study carried out last year showed the demise of the ferry link cost the region an estimated €38m last year.

Another summer without the ferry is expected to particularly hit small hotels, bed and breakfasts and bars in the west Cork area. Most tourists using the ferry were British-based families who typically holidayed for two or three weeks in the area and were known to be good spenders. Swansea-Cork Ferry company announced in late 2006 it was ceasing its operations on the route.

An attempt was made last October by its former managing director, Thomas Hunter-McGowan, to form a new company.

But his attempt failed after the Port of Cork refused to invest €3m in the project.