|
|
Who Hasna' Dunnit? The Mystery of 'The Spirit'
FROM A DISTANCE, and at a glance, the sleekit hull of the 'Spirit of the Tay', poised on her dry dock blocks at Dalerb on Loch Tay, seems just a mere weld of the superstructure, ready for interior fit-out, and then - launch.
For long-time observers, though, she has been ‘on her marks’ for more than two seasons. For close observers, she shows evidence of serious distortion and decline.
What has – and hasn’t – happened to stifle the momentum of this imaginative and popular enterprise which, three summers ago, generated an enormous amount of goodwill and support throughout the locality and far beyond?
In the mystery play surrounding the 111 ft steamer, planned to ply the loch providing pleasure cruising for 250 passengers with a below-deck, Victorian-themed restaurant, the principal cast list includes: |
|
|
• The Historic Boat Co (HBC) was founded to drive the venture forward by Richard Shand and his business partner Tony Allen both of North Lochtayside;
• To ‘fly the flag’, the contract for construction was negotiated with Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd (FSL) at Port Glasgow, one of the last remaining Scottish shipbuilding yards;
• The Southampton-based Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the executive agency of the Department of Transport which is responsible for maritime safety and standards and for the issue of a Passenger Certificate;
• Independent consultant surveyor Robert Lucas, a former Lloyd’s Senior Surveyor.
Safety Standards’ Failures
Clyde-built in sections, and transported on flatbeds to be assembled at Dalerb, questions were posed during that process about compliance with regulations, and with the standards of work necessary for certification by the MCA.
Shortcomings, both by FSL operatives and with MCA supervision, were identified early-on in proper shipbuilding practices during vessel assembly at the Dalerb site. Despite the agreed intention to construct on a purpose-built slipway, the work was carried out by FSL on a series of wood chocks, without prior groundworks to ensure solid foundations and to prevent deformation of the hull and keel.
For HBC, Robert Lucas conducted a survey of the hull’s plating and welding and reported serious defects in the fabrication procedures and joint welds. Although denied by FSL, these were confirmed by radiographs, ultrasonic examinations and other crack detection techniques.
According to Richard Shand, unapproved and misguided attempts at adjustment, plus subsequent repairs unauthorised by MCA and further defective welding resulting from FSL’s efforts to rectify the situation, all worsened the state of affairs. Finally during the fitting of the propeller, the severe stresses locked in the hull structure were released, the after deck plating then buckled and the stern section twisted.
HBC robustly maintains that the absence of skilled welding supervision and rigour in the enforcement of construction standards and quality assurance by the MCA at Dalerb, have together resulted in breaches of the Passenger Ship Construction Regulations and Lloyds’ Rules for Passenger Ships.
Protracted dispute over the principal responsibility for these has completely arrested the construction and mired the whole progress of the project. The full, and extensive, opportunity costs of these failures continue to be borne by HBC.
FSL has, over the past 18 months, been prominently in the press in connection with its disappointments over government contracts being placed abroad. Issues also continue to ‘bubble under’ between that company and Agriculture & Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie.
Holyrood Parley
The apparently toothless MCA has been impotent in the face of FSL’s deadbatting of every effort to communicate over the long outstanding matters between it and MCA, and between HBC and the Port Glasgow shipbuilders. The most recent - and vain - attempt to break the log jam and get the project back on the rails was brokered by Holyrood politicians.
A meeting of all interests was chaired by MSP John Swinney which underlined the points of difference and responsibility. Despite an agreement to have an urgent joint survey by MCA, FSL and HBC to determine the full scope of remedial work required, there has subsequently been a further 5 month silence by FSL.
Speaking for the company, Richard Shand of HBC told Comment; “We believe that these head-in-the-sand, stonewalling tactics currently being employed by FSL, which have resulted in yet another lost season on Loch Tay, are a ploy to solve these problems by the attrition of our small company.
“After the March meeting in the Scottish Parliament, there appeared to be some way to progress this project. However, after 5 months of non-communication from FSL, nothing has moved forward.
“We can assure Ferguson’s, the MCA and our many supporters that the ‘problems will not simply go away.’ We are determined to drive this exciting project forward to a satisfactory conclusion - by whatever means necessary.”
Brendan Murphy
|
