North Antrim MLA, Ian Paisley Jnr., has said that progress is being made on the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry service.

In a statement, he said: "After meeting with government officials at Stormont I am pleased to report that progress continues to be made on the Ballycastle to Service.

"I have seen a copy of the draft report and the full report will be complete this month and before the DETI Minister by mid July. It is essential that the Minister give this urgent priority to enhance the links between Ulster and Scotland.

"This is a real opportunity for the economic development of the region to enhance economic and tourism links. Expectations on both sides of the sea are now high and the Government has a duty to deliver." [BALLYMONEY TIMES]

Brittany Ferries announces new luxury cruise-ferry service from Portsmouth to Spain with a crossing time of only 24 hours

Brittany Ferries has today confirmed its plans to start a new luxury cruise-ferry service from Portsmouth to Santander in northern Spain with effect from next April using its €165 million flagship, PONT-AVEN. With a departure every Monday and a crossing time of just 24 hours, it will be some 8 hours faster than other ferry services from Portsmouth to northern Spain.

This new route expands the Brittany Ferries network at a time when both passenger and freight traffic to Spain is growing. The existing twice-weekly Plymouth-Santander service will continue, as will the weekly freight-only operation between Poole and Santander, thus helping to build a Motorway of the Seas which is in keeping with the Marco Polo EU transport policy of diverting freight from the roads and on to the sea.

David Longden, Managing Director, commented: "Portsmouth is easily accessible via an excellent road network for a huge number of people located in Greater London and the Home Counties. The appeals of Northern Spain are becoming more widely appreciated and, by providing a faster crossing than anyone else is able to, thereby allowing passengers to spend just one night at sea, we believe we can grow the market."

Phil Gadd, Portsmouth Ferry Port Manager is looking forward to the arrival of the new service: "We are pleased about the new Brittany Ferries route from Portsmouth to Santander. The French routes Brittany Ferries operate from our port are very popular and we are sure the Santander crossing will be just as successful. This new destination offers more choice to our loyal passengers who use Portsmouth regularly, and it will also attract new customers who are keen to get to Northern Spain by ferry."

From July 1 passengers will be able to walk on to the ship, which until now was a drive-on service only.

This weekend it emerged the company plans to slow down its high speed Explorer service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire by 16 minutes to save costs in the face of rising fuel prices.

From July the Explorer’s journey time will increase from the current 99 minutes to 115.

The HSS STENA EXPLORER was designed in the 1990s on the calculation oil would remain at about $20 a barrel.

Last year Stena warned its fast services would be axed if oil reached $100 a barrel, and in recent weeks fuel prices have hit $130 in recent weeks.

This weekend Nick Tilson, UK communications director for the Irish Sea operator, said the slow down would help "trim" the company’s fuel bill.

He said: "It’s a case of battening down the hatches and try to ride it out."

Yesterday Vic Goodwin, Stena Line’s director for Irish Sea routes, confirmed the move to slow the route and introduce foot passengers on the STENA ADVENTURER, but he declined to comment on speculation the HSS STENA EXPLORER fast ferry would be withdrawn.

He said: "We have been looking at the option of a service for foot passengers on the S for a while now as the vessel has grown in popularity with our tourist customers.

"The commencement of a foot passenger service will strengthen the overall Stena Line product in conjunction with our fast craft service, the HSS STENA EXPLORER, which operates between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire."

Buses will be used to bring passengers to the Adventurer at both ports. When the STENA ADVENTURER was introduced Stena Line said it would not accept foot passengers on the ship because there were no gangways at Holyhead or Dublin to connect with the ship and hence it would compromise safety.

An insider said: "This has taken place for some years already on the Irish Ferries fast ferry, JONATHAN SWIFT. After the

cars have been loaded at Holyhead the bus drives out to the ship and the passengers walk up the stairs to the passenger decks."

The ferry operator has already slashed the frequency of sailings by the HSS STENA EXPLORER on the Irish Sea route.

The HSS STENA EXPLORER, which can carry 1,500 passengers, currently makes the crossing in 99 minutes, about half the time taken for the conventional ferry STENA ADVENTURER on the Holyhead-Dublin route.

Initially it made four crossings in each direction each day but now makes just two return crossings.

The STENA ADVENTURER, which can carry up to 1,500 passengers, began sailing on the route in July 2003.

[DAILY POST]

CAIRNRYAN CONCERNS

Cairnryan residents have voiced fears over the impact Stena Line's proposed new port at Old House Point could have on traffic.

During a one-and-a-half hour public meeting last week they heard from representatives of Stena and ERM Consultants about what the latest plans were for north of the village.

Route Director Alan Gordon said the ferry operator had a list of priorities of concern and wanted to hear from the public.

[STRANRAER FREE PRESS]

TALL SHIPS LIVERPOOL

A £500,000 project is under way to tidy up an eyesore plot of land in Fleetwood town centre.

For years, local residents have complained about the former site of the railway station on Queen's Terrace.

After the station was the land was the site of the Norwest Hovercraft Terminal which became a nightclub and also provided facilities for the later Isle of Man Steam Packet Company seasonal sailings.

The nightclub was demolished some time ago and the area has been plagued by fly tipping. The area is now being incorporated into the port area and will provide additional marshalling space for Stena Line.

Roger Cowling, ABP director of operations in Fleetwood, said: "This work should allay a lot of the fears of residents of Queen's Terrace."

Long-time campaigner Eric Lister recognised the area would be tidier, but said he would have preferred something else for a prominent site adjacent to the town's holiday area.

He said: "I think it's a ridiculous waste of ground." I would have liked to have seen some grass and benches for people to sit around. They could have done something else with it."

But Stena, which moves around 135,000 tonnes of cargo per year, is the key ABP customer and vital to Fleetwood's future as a port.

[Blackpool Gazette]

It would appear that Brittany Ferries are to add a seasonal Portsmouth - Santander service to their route net work for 2009 with BRETAGNE and PONT-AVEN  being the ships operating the service.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced the appointment of a new Chairman and some important changes to its Board line up.

Robert Quayle, who has been a non-executive director of Steam Packet since 1996, will take on the role of Chairman from 24 June 2008. Robert, a lawyer by profession, has served in a variety of roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Robert commented "As a Manxman, I feel deeply honoured to be asked to succeed Juan Kelly to chair a company with such a long and distinguished record of service to the community. I look forward to working with colleagues, Government and all stakeholders to ensure a prosperous future for the company and a high quality of service for the Island."

Current chairman, Juan Kelly CBE, and non-executive directors Hamish Ross, Walter Gilbey and Dursley Stott OBE will all stand down from Steam Packet service later this month.

Juan Kelly became a non-executive director and chairman of the company in September 1992. Hamish Ross latterly served as Managing Director before retirement last year. Dursley Stott has served as a non-executive director since July 1984. Walter Gilbey who began his long association with the company as a non-executive director in July 1975, will continue as Chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Staff Pension Fund.

Juan Kelly commented, "It has been a great privilege for me and my retiring colleagues to be involved with the Steam Packet over so many years of major change and development. In this connection we would particularly like to pay tribute to all Company management and staff who, throughout our time in office, have worked so hard and conscientiously to improve the Company’s service and facilities. I now hand over to Robert Quayle with pleasure and confidence in his dedication to the interests of the Steam Packet and the Isle of Man".

Mark Woodward, Steam Packet CEO commented, "The Steam Packet Company will remain indebted to Juan, Hamish, Dursley and Walter, who over the years have shared their wisdom and provided invaluable support to the management team. We wish them a long and happy future."

Kit Pemberton will join the Board as the second Island-based non-executive director. Kit is a former Naval officer with over 25 years’ industry experience at senior management and board level. He has held non-executive director positions for a number of high profile organisations since 2002 and is a qualified Chartered Director.

When these new appointments have been formalised, in addition to the local executive management team, the Company will have four non-executive directors, two based on-Island and two off-Island. Robert Quayle and Kit Pemberton are joined by Simon Edsall and Dyson Bogg, both representing Macquarie Group.

The says the 02:00 departure will offer additional peak overnight space with an arrival time of 11:00 in Warrenpoint. Perfect for those loads which were too late for the 22:00 sailing.

From Warrenpoint says the new 14:30 hrs departure will be very popular with both drop trailers and accompanied units.

A correspondent at Heysham writes:

CLIPPER POINT did not have repairs carried out on her bulbous bow when at Liverpool May 17 - 20, it seems she only had her stern door repaired. 

Friday June 13 was another unlucky day for this ship as when she was arriving in the evening she hit and damaged the new steel section of Heysham South Quay

STENA LINE

HSS STENA EXPLORER: The recently reported deceleration of the Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire route to conserve fuel has been confirmed in the following press release:

STENA CALEDONIA - sailings will transfer to Belfast VT4 Terminal on July 08, 2008.

TAW - TORRIDGE ESTUARY FERRY

Steady progress is being made to set up a ferry service in the Taw and Torridge Estuary, according to North Devon MP Nick Harvey.

"I understand that, following last year's media interest ,there were many offers of support," he said. "The intention is to run a pilot scheme with a single amphibious vehicle once the money is in place."

Dusan Beim Project Chairman told Mr Harvey: "We currently have funding pledges from two councils, but it is conditional on a third pledging the same amount. The ferry will be called Tarka Country Ferries and operate under the local charity The Tarka Country Trust."

Mr Harvey said: "I hope that the whole of North Devon will get behind this project. Potentially it could completely change how we view and use the Taw, it could also be a major tourist attraction shuttling tourists up and down the river. [North Devon Gazette]

BALMORAL An extra sailing from Liverpool to Menai Bridge has now been added to the Balmoral's programme in July. This will operate on Thursday 17 July departing Liverpool at 09:00 and returning by at 19:30.

There will then be an afternoon cruise from Menai Bridge departing 13:00, returning at 15.15 to view the bridges and Puffin Island.

Full details of the Balmoral's July Liverpool / North Wales / Tall Ships sailings between July 16 and July 21 (The Parade of Sail day) are now available and bookable. [CLICK HERE]

Irish Ferries:

08:45 Rosslare (ISLE OF INISHMORE stormbound at Rosslare) 1430 Ex Pembroke and 2100 Ex Rosslare cancelled

JONATHAN SWIFT - all sailings cancelled.

Stena Line:

STENA LYNX III - all sailings cancelled Stena Europe: 0900 ex Rosslare delayed 1430 Ex Fishguard delayed (left Fishguard at 1700).

HSS STENA EXPLORER first round trip cancelled - second round trip delayed.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company:

Douglas to Dublin and Douglas to Liverpool sailings cancelled.

P&O

The visitor numbers are broadly in line with the expectations of tourism chiefs, who always accepted that the figures could never match those of the Centenary TT but predicted they would be equal to those of the previous year.

It appears that the restrictions upon alcohol being served on the company's vessels whilst within Manx territorial waters could soon come to an end after charges against two employees were dropped this week:

It has been reported that the owner of the scallop dredger SOLWAY HARVESTER has declined an odder to return to Douglas to view the vessel according to IoMOnline:

SOLWAY HARVESTER owner Richard Gidney has declined an offer to return to the Island to view the vessel.

More than eight years on from the tragedy the inquest into the death of the seven crew is yet to conclude.

It was opened after the Manx Government paid £1 million to recover the bodies and the vessel from the seabed, but was adjourned for legal proceedings.

Mr Gidney stood trial for manslaughter of the crew in 2005 but the case collapsed after the court ruled there was no case to answer.

When the inquest resumed in November 2006 he refused to attend.

A petition from Coroner Michael Moyle submitted to the Court of Session in Edinburgh asking for help to obtain Mr Gidney's evidence was granted on February 15 this year.

Yesterday (Monday June 09) Sheriff Principal Brian Lockhart sat as a commissioner of inquiry at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court.

Mr Moyle was represented by Andrew Smith QC, Graham Craick and Isle of Man advocate Laurence Keenan.

Mr Gidney appeared in person and indicated he would be representing himself.

Sheriff Lockhart gave various directions ahead of the hearing, which is scheduled to run from June 23 to 27.

On June 16 Sheriff Lockhart will travel to the Isle of Man to inspect the Solway Harvester.

Mr Gidney was invited to attend but indicated that he would not be attending as he had previously visited the recovered vessel.

The Solway Harvester sank in rough seas off the coast of the Isle of Man in January 2000 claiming the lives of skipper Andrew Craig Mills, 29, David Mills, 18, Robin Mills, 33, Martin Hugh Milligan, 26, John Doyle Murphy, 22, Wesley John Jolly and David Joseph Lyons, both 17.

One of Tewkesbury's most popular tourist attractions is set to re-open. Boat operator Phil Evans has promised to get the Tewkesbury to Twyning ferry running again.

The river Avon service had been run for 15 years until he closed Telstar Cruisers last year.

He attributed his decision to the impact of last July's floods and the sudden death of a close colleague.

When the 65-year-old left it raised questions about whether the ferry would run again.

Now Bewdley-based Mr Evans has given the assurance that the attraction will operate again.

He will use BUCCANEER , (ex St.Mary's Boatmens' Association - Isles of Scilly),  which can carry up to 60 passengers. Mr Evans said: "It's at Stourport at the moment.

"We're going through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements.

It's like giving it an MOT. I know the people of Tewkesbury like the ferry.

It's definitely going to happen."

The service will run from Back of Avon, where the town council owns the moorings. Some have to be repaired due to flood damage. Town clerk Pauline Clarke said the council had reached an agreement with Mr Evans for him to take on the lease for the moorings. [This is Gloucestershire]

The company has announced that it is to levy a fuel surcharge on bookings made on or after June 16, 2008. It will not apply to advance bookings made before that date.

The surcharges per single trip will be: Adult foot passenger £2, Child foot passenger £1, motorcycle £2, car £10 and coach £30.

STENA LYNX III - A Polish man died on Monday night after he fell overboard from a ferry as it approached Rosslare, despite a frantic rescue bid by the crew.

The high-speed STENA LYNX III was about ten minutes from reaching Rosslare Port at around 19:50. when the 29-year-old fell from the deck of the ferry, much to the horror of a large number of onlookers.

The ferry's lifeboats, two RIB vessels, were immediately launched. They quickly reached the man in the water and he was brought back on board.

A retired doctor making the trip to Rosslare and the first aid trained crew on board the Stena Lynx vessel attempted to revive the man, however he passed away. On arrival at Rosslare Port, the deceased man was transferred to Wexford General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Rosslare lifeboat was launched and was on stand-by but their assistance was not needed.

A spokesman for the Gardai in Wexford said that the Polish national was returning to Ireland from his native country.

The man, who cannot be named until all his relatives are informed, is from the Województwa Podkarpackiego area of Poland. He was travelling on the ferry with his brother and his brother's girlfriend, who have an address in Mallow, Co. Cork.

A ferry service across the Menai Strait between Caernarfon and Anglesey  should be restored to boost the tourist economy, says the High Sheriff of Gwynedd.

Former North Wales Tory AM Peter Rogers, believes reinstating a service between Caernarfon and Brynsiencyn would be a draw for tourists.

He said: "We ought to be looking at economic development in the current climate and this is an opportunity to provide a boost to Anglesey and Gwynedd."

Making his plea, Mr Rogers recalled how popular the crossing was in Brynsiencyn before it stopped around 40 years ago.

"I came to farm here about 35 years ago and was surprised to find many businesses all did their banking in Caernarfon rather than Llangefni. I thought initially it was something to do with the service, but I found out it had nothing to do with it. It had just been easier to pop across to Caernarfon on the ferry than drive all the way around to Llangefni."

He also believed a new service would be popular with tourists.Mr Rogers added: "On this side of the water we have two big tourist attractions in Foel Farm and the Sea Zoo, and of course the Anglesey coastal path.

"On the other side, Caernarfon has a number of attractions, not least the castle and the cobbled streets."

Mr Rogers said there would be obstacles such as where to site the jetty and who would run the service, but the idea was worth considering.

Logistical difficulties and any ferry operator would have to take into account tide times but it might be a service that existing operators might consider introducing, he added.

Plans have been announced to restore the link in the past few years, but none have come to fruition. The most ambitious ferry service proposal so far was put forward by the Countryside Counil for Wales for a waterbus service from Caenarfon via Tal y Foel, Felinheli, Moel y Don and Plas Newydd and a  similar service from Bangor to the Gazelle, Porthaethwy and Beaumaris.

A feasibility study undertaken by the University of Wales estimated the round trip would take two hours and suggested a 60-seater boat with provision for cycles. But they found a specially designed craft sufficiently sturdy to negotiate the tricky Swillies would cost up to £200,000 and the scheme never went ahead.

The navigating the Swillies would also have meant employing a full-time pilot and building ferry terminals.

[DAILY POST]

In his last official engagement as Northern Ireland First Minister, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP MLA was joined by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond MP MSP in officially opening the new £37m Stena Line ferry terminal at the Port of Belfast.

The three ministers were among 250 invited guests attending the launch of the three-storey, 35,000 sq ft facility which has been built by Belfast Harbour Commissioners on reclaimed land on Westbank Road at the edge of the Port.

Speaking at the event, Len O’Hagan, the Port of Belfast Chairman commended the long term vision and investment that allowed the new port to come to fruition:

"In an age where the prevailing philosophy seems not to believe in long-term rewards from long-term investments, I must commend previous Harbour Commissioners and previous management teams who have sought to plan Port developments around the needs of the local economy with a view which extended decades into the future," he said.

"In addition to the terminal itself, I am also pleased to confirm that work on a new four lane road linking the terminal directly to the motorway network will begin at the end of this year with a view to completing it in time for the start of the 2009 summer season.

"Our vision is to create a gateway which reflects Northern Ireland’s new found optimism – optimism which is soaring high upon the potential which a return to stable devolution has unleashed," he added.

Stena Line’s global CEO, Gunnar Blomdahl stressed the importance of the new port to Stena Line’s Irish Sea operations and confirmed that the leading ferry company will continue to invest in the route between Belfast and Scotland with its intention to relocate its current port in Stranraer to a proposed new purpose-built facility at Old House Point.

Gunnar Blomdahl said:

"The Irish Sea is a key part of Stena Line’s international business and also one of its strongest growing markets and as such is an area in which Stena Line is keen to invest. Together with the planned new facility at Old House Point on the Scottish coast, this new terminal provides a striking, modern facility that reflects the future of ferry travel in this country.

"Our customers understand that travelling by ferry is a convenient and comfortable way to cross the Irish Sea and we are seeing some evidence of a shift away from the "no frills" airlines to the more customer-focused service that we at Stena Line can provide. In spite of the volatile fuel market, in the first quarter of 2008 Stena Line’s Irish Sea routes carried a total of 14 per cent more cars and 13 per cent more passengers compared with the same period last year.

"Our strategy of a rolling investment programme which has included £150m in this route alone over the last ten years has been matched by our commitment to customer service. I feel that this exciting development combined with the new port that we are planning to build in Scotland will only serve to further enhance our offering in this market," he concluded.

Stena Line is the market leader on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest fleet and the widest choice of routes from Ireland to Britain, including the Belfast to Stranraer, Larne to Fleetwood, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Port to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fishguard routes. The company carries over three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival ferry operators combined. The VT4 terminal has been in operation since the beginning of May.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE - HOLYHEAD DECELERATION

Ever increasing fuel prices would appear to be having an effect on the operation of HSS STENA EXPLORER. It is expected that an official announcement will be made confirming the adding of 10 minutes to Dún Laoghaire - Holyhead crossing times this week.

The new schedules from July 01, 2008 will be: