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Report: Master almost certainly fell asleep ahead of grounding
The master of the 'Alfred', that grounded off Swona island on July 5, 2022, almost certainly fell asleep and allowed the ferry to swing towards land, and he regularly sailed very close to the coast, an official investigation by the UK Department for Transport’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) concluded on MAy 22, 2024. A total of 41 passengers and crew were injured and almost all the vehicles aboard, and the ferry’s port bulbous bow were damaged. The MAIB report highlighted “key safety issues” as the ferry routinely passing too close to land, fatigue leading to loss of awareness at a critical point in the vessel’s passage and lack of assurance that procedures were being followed. It recommended to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that passage plans were available during inspections and surveys, and guidance was issued to ferry operators over the need to secure heavy objects. The MAIB said UK domestic ferries’ exemption from carrying voyage data recorders should be reviewed. The branch also called on Pentland Ferries to ensure it recorded passenger details and injuries after such incidents. Report with photo: https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/pentland-ferries-captain-almost-certainly-fell-asleep-before-vessel-grounded-off-orkney-injuring-41-4638072
Alfred cannot berth any longer in Adrossan
Due to safety concerns at Ardrossan harbour, the Irish Berth is out of action until at least Jan 24, 2024, following an inspection by divers, so that the 'Alfred' cannot berth any longer. The closure affects services to Arran because it is the only berth at the harbour which can be used by CalMac's chartered catamaran. The main berth is still operating and a second CalMac ferry, the 'Isle of Arran' will continue to sail to Arran. The operator has been advised by the port's owner, Peel Ports, that the berth would have to shut for critical inspections. Affected customers were being contacted and moved to the 'Isle of Arran' when space allows, which will continue to operate the core Arran service from the main berth in Ardrossan to Brodick. Anyone needing to travel urgently for things like medical appointments should contact their local port office. Peel Ports apologised for the inconvenience but said safety had to be its priority.
Charter of Alfred extended
The 'Alfred' will continue to operate on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network for an additional six months. The vessel was chartered from Pentland Ferries in March 2023, for an initial nine months, but an agreement has been reached to extend the charter until the end of July 2024. It was expected that she will operate as a resilience vessel and also assist with vessel overhaul cover where required. This will help maintain resilience on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network during the winter months and into the summer. The ferry can operate on a number of routes on the network and allows other vessels to be moved to minimise any disruption if necessary. Recent berthing trials has confirmed which ports she can operate out of and plans for her next deployment are now underway.
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