Ferry safety

Sir,

On the evening of March 6, 1987, the cross-channel Ro-Ro ferry Herald of Free Enterprise, carrying more than 450 passengers, around 80 crew, more than 80 cars, and close to 50 freight vehicles, left the Belgian port of Zebrügge for the English port of Dover. Soon after the Herald of Free Enterprise passed Zebrügge's breakwater, water flooded into the ferry's lower car deck and destabilized it, causing it to sink in a matter of minutes. 193 lives were lost.

In 1994, the Ro-Ro vessel Estonia sank in the Baltic Sea in one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century. It is the deadliest European shipwreck disaster to have occurred in peacetime, costing 852 lives.

Following these and other maritime accidents the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) was ratified.

Letter: Safety reasons behind cancelled ferries

27 January 2016

The purpose of the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management (ISM) Code) is to establish a management system in shipping companies to ensure the safe operation of ships and the prevention of pollution.

On every CalMac ferry you will see posted in a public area the document of compliance with the ISM code. To get this document of compliance they must first submit their Safety Management System (SMS) for approval.

An integral part of the SMS is the BRIDGE OPERATIONS manual. In this the criteria for sailing is specified. The following section from the BRIDGE OPERATIONS manual covering sailing criteria was obtained from CalMac under the Freedom of Information Act.

CRITERIA FOR SAILING

3.12 In the event of adverse weather conditions or forecasts, the master of a vessel shall be responsible for deciding whether or not it is safe to sail, taking into consideration factors such as:-

The capabilities of the vessel including any power restrictions;
Availability of updated weather forecasts;
Expected weather conditions on passage;
Expected weather conditions at port of departure;
Expected weather conditions at port of arrival;
The availability of a suitable alternative berth should the vessel be unable to reach the intended port; the master’s familiarity with alternative berths or ports;
The duration of daylight if darkness imposes restrictions;
The comfort and safety of passengers, crew and the vessel;
Any specific restrictions imposed under the terms of the passenger certificate.

The commercial aspects of the voyage shall not influence the master’s decision if the safety of the passengers, crew or the vessel is in question.

Compliance with the operational procedures contained in the approved SMS is mandatory. I hope this gives the travelling public a better understanding as to why sailings are cancelled.

Morris K Macleod

201 Newmarket,

Stornoway.