MCA investigate ferry embarkcation concerns 16/2/12
Shipping safety regulator, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is to investigate if ferry passengers are endangered by the Mv hebriean isles on its deployment on the Stornoway to Ullapool route.
Issues in rigging upa suitable gangway means passengers have to walk down her external car ramp and into the car deck at the bow.
The Hebridean Isles is on relief duties for the Stornoway run until the MV Isle of Lewis returns at the weekend.
The regular ferry is being repaired after smashing into the harbour wall while leaving drydock on the Mersey last week.
As a smaller vessel the Hebridean Isles is not the right design to use a suitable gangway at both west coast destination piers.
But retired marine surveyor Capt Morris Macleod raised the issue with MCA chiefs maintaining the ship should have a proper gangway rigged up, believing access through the car deck is breaking breaching the law.
He has eceived an e-
Capt Macleod who lives on Lewis said i f no dispensation is in place from the regulator then an offence may be committed and Cal Mac should be prosecuted.
“They can claim it has been risk assessed but that does not exempt them from the requirement for a dispensation from the MCA.”
He said he was shocked to discover the MV Hebridean Isles had “no gangway access to the vessel as required under the Means of Access Regulations 1988 and all foot passengers had to access the vessel via the linkspan, bow ramp and car deck.”
He said many passengers were unhappy about the boarding arrangements when he travelled on the ship this week. Elderly people, in particular, “found the boarding arrangement via the car deck onerous."
Cal Mac says the arrangement is perfectly safe and “standard practice where the gangways are not suitable.”
It insists points out the “embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is properly managed” and is entirely safe, legal, and compatible with company's Health and Safety Policy."
Risk assessments have been carried out and staff guide and escort passengers along the way. In addition all vehicles are stationary when people are acessing the car deck.