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Hitches hit ferry shipyard       24/9/14

 

Work on the MV Loch Seaforth ran behind schedule while she was still on the stocks after a gale hit the German ship yard, ripping off part of the roof of the ship building hall in Germany.

 

Her hull was not launched until March, a month later than planned, throwing out plans to have her sailing the Minch this summer.

 

Then slow progress in fitting out the ship’s accommodation block held up the timetable.

 

A delay in the installation of electrical services throughout the vessel” hampered other trades and services.

 

Under revised plans the shipyard reckoned it could finish off the lounges, cafes, passenger areas and crew quarters as well as commissioning her on-board electronic systems by August.

 

The ship was then meant to officially enter service two weeks ago - on Monday 8 September - but issues with her propeller shaft arose.

 

Flying the German flag, the unfinished MV Loch Seaforth sailed to drydock in Odense, Denmark for “modifications to the propeller hubs that were identified by the manufacturer,” last month said CMAL.

 

Recently CMAL maintained the Loch Seaforth was on schedule to leave the dock and undertake sea trials in August.

 

That did not happen but is now due to take place “by the end of this week,” said the ship owner.

 

The Loch Seaforth is designed to have a capacity for up to 700 passengers and 143 cars or 20 commercial vehicles though the actual number of vehicles which can be carried in practice is still being worked out.

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