Ferry’s maiden voyage cancelled again

THE operators of the Cork to Swansea ferry service were forced to cancel its maiden passenger voyage again because of problems with certification.

It is the second PR disaster to strike the ferry’s fledgling operators, the Fastnet Line, this week.

The company was forced to cancel the first passenger sailing of the MV Julia vessel last Monday because of mechanical problems. The Wednesday and Thursday sailings were also cancelled. Some 450 intending passengers were affected. About half rebooked.

Fastnet Line rescheduled the maiden voyage to leave Cork tomorrow but the plug was pulled on the sailing last night because maritime authorities in Wales have yet to sign off on the mechanical issues.

The problems also forced the cancellation of Sunday’s return voyage.

Several hundred more passengers have been affected by the latest disruption. They were contacted by Fastnet Line staff yesterday.

They are being offered the option of booking an alternative date or a full refund.

Affected passengers will also be offered a 50% discount off their fare when they next book with Fastnet Line, a statement from the company said.

But the operators could not say last night exactly when the service will begin – only that they are hopeful it will take place next week.

The problems were first discovered while the 21,699-tonne vessel, which was built in 1982, was being inspected during a dry dock inspection at Swansea docks.

Tom Barrett, chief executive of the Fastnet Line, described the problems as small, but said they had to wait for spare parts.

Fastnet Line engineers have been working round the clock all week to solve the problems that were identified during the final survey.

But despite these efforts, the company said they ran out of time to get formal certification in time for today’s sailing.

Fastnet Line said the delay is not connected to the works being carried out at Harris Pye dockyard and thanked the port authorities for their support.

“Fastnet Line would like to thank our customers for their understanding at this time and look forward to the early commencement of this service which will be so important to the economic future of the communities and businesses on either side of the Irish sea,” it said.

The Julia, which has capacity for 1,400 passengers, was purchased from a Finnish bank by a co-operative formed by West Cork Tourism. Three years ago Swansea-Cork Ferries was forced to close its service after it failed to find a replacement for the MV Superferry.

Its investors include Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Cork Chamber.