£6m Strangford ferry breaks down... again

£6m Strangford ferry breaks down... again

3 May 2017

STRANGFORD’S new multi-million pound ferry has broken down again and remains out of service.

The £6m vessel, which has been plagued by problems since coming into operation in January, lost steering power last week at the mouth of Strangford Lough during sea trials.

No passengers were on board the MV Strangford II when it lost steerage last Thursday evening, forcing the crew to anchor until the issue was addressed by engineers to allow the vessel to return safely to harbour in Strangford.

The new ferry arrived in Strangford last October but ended up in dry dock after a design flaw was detected with its entry ramps that prevented vehicles from driving off at high tide.

Modifications costing £12,000 were subsequently required before the Maritime and Coastguard Agency gave the vessel the green light to be pressed into service at the end of January.

Several weeks later, the vessel had to be taken out of service after it developed engine problems and in March the new ferry experienced more engine problems which led to disruption in services.

The new ferry has replaced the MV Strangford which had been transporting vehicles and passengers between Strangford and Portaferry for almost 50 years and had reached the end of its operational life.

Councillor Dermot Curran described the latest problem to hit the MV Strangford II as “disappointing” and hopes there will be no more disruption to services during the traditionally busy summer period. He said it was fortunate there were no passengers on board when the steering issue arose last week and hopes everything will be done to ensure there are no similar incidents in future.

“It is disappointing the new ferry has been hit by so many issues during its first few months of service and I am sure everything possible is being done to guard against future problems,” continued councillor Curran.

“It is fortunate there are two vessels ferrying passengers between Strangford and Portaferry but over the particularly busy summer period it is important they are both in service. The crossing is a necessity for people who live on both sides of the lough, but it is also a tourist attraction and a key link for people visiting the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry.”

A spokesman for the Department for Infrastructure, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ferry service, confirmed the MV Strangford II was undergoing testing last Thursday evening following maintenance work to the steering system and remains out of service.

“This vessel was out of service as part of a standard rotation with the other ferry, the MV Portaferry II. At around 5pm, a technical issue developed which required the vessel to be anchored while repairs were carried out. Four crew were on board, one skipper and three engineering staff,” he continued.

“Work was completed by 7pm on the same day and the vessel was brought back to dock. The Maritime Coastguard Agency was informed and the MV Portaferry II was in service over the bank holiday weekend as planned.”

The spokesman also rejected suggestions that a number of crew who work on the new ferry are currently on sick leave as a result of suspected carbon monoxide issues with their ill-health linked to the vessel’s exhaust system.

He added: “There are no crew members currently off sick. Air quality monitoring has been undertaken with no issues relating to carbon monoxide identified as part of the testing. Management continue to work with the crews to ensure a safe working environment.”