Hebridean Ferry Fiasco

[Wildfisher]

Heard quite an alarming report on the radio news the other day.

Overall tourism to the Hebrides has crashed and burned this year with Mull being especially hard hit. They say they will never make up the losses now and blame the Scottish Government's fiasco with the ferries for causing them massive problems, both real and in the minds of tourists who just can't be bothered with the delays and hassle.

They are demanding compensation from the S.G. but why should the hard pressed tax payer be forced to pick up the bill for yet more Holyrood incompetence?

[arawa]

Because the SG only has money derived from the hard-pressed taxpayer!
I believe councillors can be (or used to be) surcharged for wasting public money but I very much doubt that was also applied to MSPs.

[Bobfly]

The Norwegians have many straightforward basic ferries, quite adequate for the job. If you catch a train for a one hour trip, or a bus, you do not need shops and a choice of restaurant. We have quite unnecessary facilities and untried complexity in the engineering.
A few days ago I read a short piece about the Liberty Ships built by the USA in WWII. There were clearly economies of scale but the quickest build from the time of the keel being laid was four and three quarter days, and the average build time was less than a week. This for a transatlantic freight ship. (Without painted on windows.)

[burnie]

The SG has spent all the tax payers money on plans for a referendum that is not going to happen this centaury.

[Wildfisher]

If you catch a train for a one hour trip, or a bus, you do not need shops and a choice of restaurant. We have quite unnecessary facilities and untried complexity in the engineering.

Exactly. People just need a fast, reliable and inexpensive service, not ego stroking bells and whistles.

[IanR]

Exactly. People just need a fast, reliable and inexpensive service, not ego stroking bells and whistles.

Which is why (unsubsidised) Pentland Ferries have got it right........

[Laxdale]

Heard quite an alarming report on the radio news the other day.

Overall tourism to the Hebrides has crashed and burned this year with Mull being especially hard hit. They say they will never make up the losses now and blame the Scottish Government's fiasco with the ferries for causing them massive problems, both real and in the minds of tourists who just can't be bothered with the delays and hassle.

They are demanding compensation from the S.G. but why should the hard pressed tax payer be forced to pick up the bill for yet more Holyrood incompetence?

Actually, Mull got off lightly compared to the Uists and Harris. Plenty loud voices on Mull though.
Without going into it in any detail, it was/is SG mismanagement that has caused all the problems. The ferries to the Western Isles are lifeline services and Cal mac do a good job considering the tools they are given. However, what is seldom mentioned is the role maritime unions play in the whole fiasco. Worth researching, and a starting point should be asking why the area of deck space devoted to crew quarters is greater than that allocated to passengers on the rusting hulks at Fergusons.....(as an aside, did anyone pick up on the stairways being too narrow on the unfinished vessels, meaning the MCA will not pass them?).#shitshow

[Wildfisher]

did anyone pick up on the stairways being too narrow on the unfinished vessels, meaning the MCA will not pass them?).#shitshow

Did not pick up on that, but the entire thing is such a shit show and stinks so much of corruption it would have been easy to miss.