The new Strangford Ferry has been tied up due to a technical issue with its main ramp. It appears that cars have difficulty in getting onto it safely, and a new ramp part has been ordered and will be in place within a two or three weeks.
South Down Margaret Ritchie has expressed her concerns at the delays along with local residents and ferry users.
A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure said: “The contract for the new ferry was agreed in February 2015. The expected delivery date was end of August 2016, with an expected operational date of October 2016 at the earliest.
“However, close to the end of the project the shipbuilders advised that due to an issue with the delivery of parts for the main engine, the ferry would be delivered five weeks later than planned.
“Following delivery of the ferry in October, during due diligence and commissioning checks by the Department, an issue was discovered regarding the ferry vehicle ramps. This required modifications to be made to those ramps. Work to complete these modifications is currently underway and discussions are ongoing with the shipbuilder to resolve this issue under the terms of the contract.
“While the Department regrets the delay to the new service, health and safety issues must always take priority. The MV Strangford II will enter service as soon as a Passenger Certificate has been issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. We expect this to be early in the New Year.
“Until then, the current ferry remains fully operational continuing to service the local community, sailing every 15 minutes during timetabled hours. There is also a backup vessel available if required.
“The Minister wants to ensure the new ferry comes into operation as soon as possible and will continue to keep the situation under review.”
Strangford resident Roisin Curran said: “It is quite annoying to think that so much effort and money has gone into the building of this ferry and it’s still not right. I understand that cars have difficulty getting on and off the main ramp. But it is expected to be fully back in action hopefully at the start of the new year”.
Ritchie Slams Department Over Strangford Ferry Failures
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has slammed the Department for Infrastructure over the lack of accountability and their ineptitude in relation to the failures of the new MV Strangford Ferry vessel as the ramps will not allow cars to disembark from the vessel.
Ms Ritchie has written to the Minister for immediate rectification works and an implementation plan for the commissioning of the MV Strangford II vessel. She said: “It is absolutely astounding that the new Strangford Ferry vessel costing £5.7 million which arrived in the village of Strangford in the summer following years in design and construction is tied up and cannot be commissioned as the ramps will not allow cars to disembark.
“This is totally unacceptable and inexplicable considering the efforts that were invested several years ago by the then Department of Regional Development in terms of the design specifications that were given to Cammell Laird shipyard in Liverpool. I have endless pieces of correspondence from previous Ministers over the last five years telling me the intricate nature of the design and testing work that would be required before the vessel could be commissioned in Strangford. What went wrong?
“The Minister for Infrastructure along with his senior officials must now supply to the public not only an explanation but also a timeframe when rectification measures will be put in place to enable the ferry vessel to be commissioned. The Minister must also spell out what this repair and rectification work will cost the taxpayer and where the money will be provided from out of the public purse. What is also a matter of concern is that it has been alleged that the Department spent £750,000 re-designing the new ramp over the summer period. Why then doesn’t it work and what action will now be taken to rectify the matter?
“During the recent sea trials in Strangford Lough, it emerged that the ramps on the ferry do not drop low enough to allow cars to drive off them when the ferry docks at high tide as the ramps stop before they reach the slipway. What is more damning is that the Cammell Laird shipyard has asserted that they have built the vessel according to the specifications given by the then Department of Regional Development.
“The Strangford Ferry service is similar to a road structure – connecting Strangford with Portaferry – it is an essential part of the local infrastructure and provides an important economic link. It is critical to tourism and trade as well as underpinning social and educational ties between the Lecale and Ards Peninsula. The Ferry service has served our community for many years and any impediments that are put in its way simply serve to undermine that essential economic link. Another matter of grave concern is that there is currently only one ferry vessel in operation – the MV Portaferry and if it hits maintenance difficulties or is unable to operate then communication/travel links between both villages are fractured,”  added Ms Ritchie.
