Security Measures

Armed French police have begun patrols on cross-Channel ferries in a bid to prevent terrorist attacks.

The scheme commenced on 1st August but, without any agreement in place for French police to patrol vessels in UK waters, the Sea Marshalls arrived by helicopter and boarded the Mont St. Michel at around 17.30 local time as she approached the French coast. According to the Marine Police in France, the UK and French governments are in talks about French officers patrolling for complete crossings whilst the Home Office said security plans were under constant review. The Marine Police unit in France has deployed a permanent unit to carry out high-visibility random but regular patrols on passenger ferries. The French police can patrol in French and international waters only until any agreement is reached with the UK. It is not clear whether the plan includes non-French vessels, such as UK-flagged ferries arriving in France. In July there were very lengthy delays for UK passengers heading to the port of Dover due to increased security checks at French border posts, instigated by the French authorities without sufficient manpower to cope with the volumes of traffic.

Amid the heightened security and awareness in France following terrorist attacks, 77 passengers and crew were evacuated from Corsica Linea’s 29,968gt/1998 built Jean Nicoli (above) at Joliette, Marseille, on the morning of 31st July. An explosion had been heard as the ship was loading but, after the Bomb Squad and Dogs Unit had arrived, it was discovered that some World War Two ammunition had detonated in the seabed. France had already drafted in heavily armed soldiers and police to its ports in fear of suicide attackers boarding ferries. Thankfully this occasion was a harmless false alarm.

Newbuilds For New York

Incat Crowther has announced the design of a new fleet of vessels for Hornblower, the selected operator of New York City’s new Citywide Ferry Service. Hornblower is a worldwide leader in hospitality and maritime services, offering commuter ferries, dining cruises and sightseeing products across North America. An ambitious undertaking announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City will create a network of ferries serving the entire city by the end of 2018 with a focus on areas that are currently under-served by transit. The new service includes longer runs to the Rockaways in 2017 along with South Brooklyn and Astoria. Service to the Lower East Side in Manhattan and Soundview in the Bronx begins in 2018. Incat Crowther is already delivering production engineering to satisfy an aggressive build schedule at multiple shipyards, with at least a dozen boats scheduled to be delivered in 2017. The 150- passenger vessels will have spacious interiors, with ADA access, wide aisles, a concession stand and Wi-Fi. The design features bow loading specifically designed to integrate with standard infrastructure, some of which will be built or redeveloped for this project. The foredeck also houses bicycle racks and room for strollers.

The 26m long, 24.5m beam and 27 knot vessels will form the backbone of a modern, comfortable and efficient urban ferry fleet that will be New York City’s first city-wide ferry system in over 100 years.

New Hope For Unfinished Gosport Ferry

Back in 2001 Gosport Ferry Ltd. took delivery of the first of two ferries ordered for Portsmouth Harbour services. The Spirit of Gosport suffered from many problems upon delivery and a subsequent contractual dispute with builder David Abels of Bristol saw the would-be Spirit of Portsmouth newbuild abandoned whilst partially complete. The latter was to have had upper deck accommodation and a galley to make her suitable for Solent cruises. A replacement to the rejected Spirit of Portsmouth arrived in 2005 when VT Halmatic of Portchester delivered the vessel. The rejected hulk languished at Bristol with a buyer being sought. Finally in 2016 the vessel has a new owner and a new name, the Forth Hope (above). Now converted to a medical vessel, the bow has been extended by 4 metres for a new role in South America. David Abels has been operating a shipyard in Bristol for over 30 years and on completion of this medical ship the yard in its present form will close down.

Reprieve For The St. Helena

On 19th July came the expected announcement that, despite her farewell visit to the River Thames in June, the 6,767gt/1990 built RMS St. Helena is to continue serving her remote South Atlantic island namesake until 1st July 2017. The RMS passenger and freight service will continue to operate between Cape Town, St Helena and Ascension Island with the extended schedule until the early part of next year. The ship marked 26 years of service in June 2016 and the extension of the RMS St Helena service also allows the island more flexible planning as it prepares for the introduction of commercial flights to the island. Currently the airport is open for private flights and medical evacuation services only.