somersetdiscussion.myfreeforum.org

Register

Site Admin Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 28

I've been wondering if it would be a good idea to have a ferry betwixt Minehead and Swansea and turn a 120 mile land journey via the Bridge into a 30 mile sea crossing. They'd take about the same time and a round trip between the two places costs £40 in fuel and tolls (over £100 if you include other factors). Swansea City Council say they've considered the project on a few occasions, but the tidal range at Minehead (31.5 ft) plus the initial costs are prohibitive. I've come up with a potential solution to the tide problem. This envolves extending one of the breakwaters at Minehead into deeper water and converting it to take vehicles. The seaward end of the jetty would have a gentle concrete slope onto which the ferry's vehicle ramp would be lowered. That way no matter what the height of the tide, vehicles would be able to drive down the slope, along the ramp and onto the ferry. The ferry would have to be of shallow draught and be highly manoeuverable. This is a ferry being proposed in the US, based on the Canadian Osprey 2000 (which I've traveled on): http://www.rina.org.uk/rfiles/navalarchitect/canada_july04.pdf
The above proposed ferry has a draught of 3.2 metres (about 10 feet) making it ideal for opperating in shallow waters.
The Osprey is 80 metres long, 24 metres wide, displaces 1780 tons, carries 80 cars and 250 passengers. It has four 1600 hp diesels, two at either end of the boat, all driving through 360 degree right angle drives. I assume that means it can rotate on its axis. It has a top speed of 16 knots and cost Can$23.7 million to build. This would be about £10 million and you'd two ferries to opperate a two-hourly service across the 30 miles of Bristol Channel, so it might be worth the interested authorities to approach large ferry companies such as P&O and apply for Lottery money/EU grants.

What do you think?

Site Admin Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 28

Amazingly I read in the newspaper yesterday that a project to do just what I was proposing is being considered by the various authorities!

I'll put forward some of my ideas to them.

http://www.westernmorningnews.co....Search&formname=sidebarsearch

PLAN FOR FERRY SERVICES FROM NORTH DEVON TO WALES
Be the first reader to comment on this story

11:00 - 23 May 2006

Prospects of a range of ferry services linking ports on both sides of the Bristol Channel have been boosted by a study by a maritime expert. Before the First World War, there were regular ferry sailings between Ilfracombe and Swansea, and Minehead and Barry.

The ferries were packed with passengers providing a valuable boost to the ports from which they operated.

The increase in road traffic and the construction of the Severn Bridges were factors leading to the decline of the ferry services, but those same factors could now actually lend support to the resumption of ferry services.

Ideas examined by maritime consultant Chris Marrow include the use of two vessels, each capable of carrying 45 cars, their occupants and foot passengers.

Mr Marrow, who has helped set up ferry services in the Orkney Isles and Mozambique, believes that there could be commercial potential in the services. This year, he presented his paper to the Ilfracombe Harbour Association and the prospect of ferry services once again linking both sides of the Bristol Channel has enthusiastic support in the Westcountry and South Wales.

"There is still interest in Minehead and Ilfracombe, and the Welsh Assembly is very keen on improving the use of the Welsh ports and coastline," said Mr Marrow, of Wellington, Somerset.

He said that, while it could be some time before anything happens, it was important that impetus was given to the idea so that it could become a reality.

"Now is the time to stop saying someone should do it; it's time to say someone will. It's an idea for which the time is right," he said.

At Minehead, Nick Messarra, leader of the Minehead Town Council and portfolio holder for economic development at West Somerset District Council, said the ferry idea could be an economic boost for the area.

"It would open up the whole of the coast on this side of the channel for tourists coming from Wales," he said. "We have done a lot of work, and there is an enthusiasm for the idea."