ALFRED

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Ferry suffered gearbox issue

The 'Alfred' serving on the route Troon-Brodick, suffered a technical issue with the gearbox on Nov 28, 2024. A a consequence, service has been cancelled. Contractors have been arranged to attend the vessel for repairs. Initially, the following sailings have been cancelled: Departure Gourock - 06:35 a.m. and 07:45 a.m. Departure Dunoon - 07:05 a.m. and 08:15 a.m. After the technical issue has been resolved, the normal two vessel timetable could be resumed with the departure at 08:45 a.m. from Gourock. Later in the day ongoing gearbox trouble caused the service has been cancelled. Repairs were to be carried out in the evening, and service was expected to operate as normal on Nov 29.

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.