Letter to the Editor of The Lymington Times
Dear Sir
I am writing to clarify some of the issues relating to the new ferries, which appeared in the article published in your newspaper on 6th October and in the responses published on 13th October.
This is clearly an issue causing some uncertainty and concern within Lymington and the surrounding area. I welcome people’s views on the issue but believe that these concerns are unfounded and feel inaccuracies and misleading statements are fuelling these concerns unnecessarily. Hopefully this will help to put people’s minds at rest.
The headline on the original article
Wightlink is 100% committed to its service between Lymington and Yarmouth for the benefit of the many thousands of Commuters, Isle of Wight residents and other travellers who are dependent on it. However, the existing C-Class vessels have to be replaced within the near future. Without new ferries, therefore, there cannot be a service. That is neither a threat nor a promise. It is a simple statement of fact.
Displacement
Much has been made of the displacement of the new ferries under construction. This is largely due to new regulations rather than greatly increased dimensions or a large increase in the payload. The new regulations require a far higher level of damage stability for vessels built today.
Overall the new ferries will be just 4 metres longer and 0.8 metres wider. This modest increase in capacity will help to secure the long-term financial viability of the service and enable the traffic mix that already utilises the service to be transported more efficiently.
There has been some speculation that the service ‘makes a fortune’ and that many operators would be interested in taking it on. The current performance of the route is marginal at best. Long term viability can only be achieved through investment, efficiency and some modest growth. An alternative operator would still have to introduce new ferries.
Impact on the Environment
There is concern that the new ferries will have a greater impact on the environment than the existing vessels. Wightlink does not share that concern. For the extra 15 cars capable of being transported on the new ferries, the deadweight requirement is around 30 tonnes maximum. The new ferries have also been designed to carry increased bunkers and water etc., which requires a further 30 tonnes deadweight. Only around 200 tonnes of the available 330 tonnes deadweight is expected to be utilised when the vessel is fully laden, which actually means that it should operate at a draught of less than 2.1 metres, compared to the 2.28 metres of the existing ferries. With the placement of the propeller units on the centre-line (as compared to offset on the existing) and with a much improved hull design of the new ferries water flow is expected to be considerably more efficient, with less resultant side thrust. In addition, the vessel has four engines for redundancy purposes. For normal running only three engines, at most, will be required, which will also be down-rated as there is a maximum power input that the propeller units can accept.
A positive feature of the new ferries will be improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, which will comply with EU standards. The engines installed will also be capable of being shut down whilst the vessels are in berth, with a consequential reduction in noise. A closed system of cooling for the engines and generators will ensure that there is no prospect of water contamination in the river.
Tank Testing
The tank-testing of a model of the hull of the new ferries was undertaken in Austria. It is true that this did take place in a deep water tank, which is not necessarily representative of the Lymington River channel at various states of the tide. It was for this reason that it was agreed with Lymington Harbour Commissioners that prior to introduction of the new ferries into service, trials would be conducted to establish the safe parameters for operating the new ferries in the river.
Effect on the Salt Marshes
There is concern with regards to the salt marshes in the Lymington estuary and speculation that the new ferries will add to the erosion of these. Wightlink’s own environmental appraisal and, indeed, many studies on the erosion of the salt marshes in the Solent have concluded that it is a natural process that is due mainly to coastal squeeze and the loss of the inter-tidal area. Studies have specifically referred to ferry wash having ‘little or no effect’ on salt marsh erosion.
Like many other people in the Lymington area, Wightlink is concerned about the continuing loss of the salt marshes in the estuary. Further studies have predicted that the marshes will have disappeared totally within the next 15-20 years, without some protection measures being taken. Wightlink fully supports LHC in its proposals for the creation of breakwaters to protect the marshes and the estuary.
Racing in the River
Wightlink would not wish to see any restrictions imposed on racing in the river due to the introduction of the new ferries. Our position is that it is a long-standing activity in Lymington that should be preserved.
The issue of racing in the river and any new risk control measures required following the introduction of the new ferries are matters between the yacht clubs and the LHC. We will however do anything we can to assist.
Geoff Holmes, Commodore of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club mentioned in his letter to the newspaper that the RLymYC had shared with Wightlink the advice it has received with regards to restrictions that could be placed on sailing as in the river a consequence of the new ferries. To clarify, the RLymYC informed Wightlink that it had received advice but Wightlink has not been given a copy of this advice to date. We would appreciate receipt of this advice, so that we might understand the specific reasoning behind the concerns.
Junior Sailing
Junior Sailing is another activity that Wightlink fully supports. We acknowledge that Yacht Haven Ltd is principal sponsor for the programme and did not mean to suggest otherwise. However, Mr Holmes’ comments were disappointing as Wightlink has always believed that its sponsorship of the Club was used in part to support Junior Sailing.
We firmly believe that Junior Sailing can continue to flourish after introduction of the new ferries; and that the concerns of the Club are unfounded.
Consultation on the new ferries
Mr Holmes letter suggests that Wightlink had committed to the designs and dimensions of the new ferries before its meeting with the yacht clubs in January. This is not the case. Mr Holmes is correct to state that Wightlink considered tenders from Yards to build the new ferries in October 2006 and contracts were agreed in December 2006. These were not enforced, however, until 20th March 2007. It was at this point that Wightlink was committed to build the new ferries, not before.
The meeting in January was part of a wider consultation process with many parties that might potentially have been affected by, or have had an interest in the new ferries. Our aim was to consider what impacts the new ferries might have and to provide assurances that we would work with such parties to mitigate these.
In his letter Mr Holmes also sought to dispel the myth that the RLymYC had changed its view on the new ferries overnight. A letter from Mr Holmes, published as late as 18th August 2007, stating that the Club did not oppose the ferries and was satisfied that LHC would ensure that appropriate parameters were set for their eventual operation.
The Need for regulatory approvals
Reference has been made to the need for Regulatory Approvals for the introduction of the new ferries. In simple terms, there are none. As was confirmed in the minutes of a meeting of the LHC Advisory Committee, Lymington is an Open Port under the 1847 Harbour Docks and Piers Clauses Act and any vessel that wants to and can safely navigate in the harbour has a public right of access. The ability of the new ferries to navigate in the harbour has been established in principle and accepted by LHC. The trials that will be conduction prior to the introduction of the service will establish the safe parameters for operating the new ferries in the river.
Wightlink remains resolute to the introduction of the new ferries, as we believe that they will benefit our customers, Lymington, Yarmouth and the surrounding communities. Finally, I personally remain committed to the introduction of the new ferries for all Wightlink staff employed on the route who have dedicated their working lives to the service and who are dependent on it for their livelihoods.
I fully expect this letter to illicit a number of responses seeking to challenge what I have said. We welcome further input from people in the local community and believe it is Wightlink’s duty to consider those opinions but only where they are based on accurate, factual information.
Yours faithfully
Andrew Willson
CEO, Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries