Just got word last night that Julys booking on W.B.Yeats have being cancelled due to the shipyard being delayed in delivering her.
has anyone any updates?
A quick check on the booking engine appears to confirm this. It appears that she will not be starting service until the 30th July
A monumental cock up disrupting the plans of thousands of families and holiday makers. A €150 voucher is a rotten insult to passsengers but no more than you would expect from them. If you had booked to sail on a new modern ship from Dublin and they were now offering a sailing on a worn out old ship from a different port I think that at least a 50% refund of the price paid would not be unreasonable.
In any other company there would be calls for the top brass to step aside.
From the Irish Times (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/thousands-have-holiday-plans-thrown-into-disarray-as-irish-ferries-cancels-bookings-1.3469903)
Quote...he company did not have an estimate yet as to how many people are likely to be impacted by the cancellations as the situation remains fluid. He said discussions with the shipyard were ongoing and the "outcome could yet be positive."
I looks like most people can be accommodated on an alternative sailing at this stage, but not great publicity to surround a new ship.
Quote from: ferryfan on April 21, 2018, 10:02:44 PM
A monumental cock up disrupting the plans of thousands of families and holiday makers. A €150 voucher is a rotten insult to passsengers but no more than you would expect from them. If you had booked to sail on a new modern ship from Dublin and they were now offering a sailing on a worn out old ship from a different port I think that at least a 50% refund of the price paid would not be unreasonable.
In any other company there would be calls for the top brass to step aside.
Not to mention all the hype they heaped on around this new ship with the naming competition etc .
The ship is not an Irish Ferries ship until it is officially handed over to them on completion so I would say it's not Irish Ferries fault . Also I have to say that new fast craft is an ugly looking thingand not that clean up close.
Maybe IF were a little over confident about when they would have the ship operational ,and who knows maybe the shipyard told them so .
I recall when Spirit of Britain arrived from Aker Finnyards, she had a few teething issues. Even during the sea-trials Aker had to do some fine tuning, (Tho I don't recall Spirit of France having any issue).
I agree, its a PR and logistical screw-up, but even highly experienced yards like Aker Finnyards, who built a whole string of vessels (including Ulysses), can have issues.
Likewise, van-der-Giessen de Noord, despite building a vast number of very successful ferries - Konningin Beatrix (1986), Norbank (1993), Norbay (1994), Isle of Innisfree (1995), Isle of Innishmore (1996) etc, were late delivering Mont St Michel to Brittany Ferries.
I am not sure the pricing structure, but I was quoted €307 return for two people, from Dublin Port to Cherbourg on WB Yeats for around mid September. The €150 voucher or the option to sail on an older ship is quite dissapointing. Though to be fair to Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries are being quite brazen charging around €800 for a return with a car, 2 people, and a cabin, on a "very basic - no frills" Visentini - a vessel comparable to Epsilon and Stena Horizon. Even at the very end of the season Brittany Ferries are pricing €600+ and that's not including restaurant etc. I understand there is more fuel consumption on a sailing to Spain vs one to France, but I don't recall P&O charging anywhere near that to sail on the much better appointed (and thirstier) Pride of Bilbao (Portsmouth to Bilbao).
Spirit of Britian had to go back to Aker after spirit of France was delivered to have additional pillers installed to ruduce her vibration. Even today her vibration issue is not fully solved. Spirit of France learned the lesson of the first delivery.
Judging by the articles in newspapers today this looks like a PR disaster for IF, I don't agree with people blaming IF wholesale, they agreed dates with the yard. However IF didn't handle this well at all. Voucher offer is too small, sending an email on a Friday night and then not having call center capacity to deal with the calls.
I have seen some people alluding that they are being asked to pay more for premium accommodation on the OW. This seems very unfair really and the charge ought to be waived.
Surprised IF didn't hold back story to today and give themselves the weekend to plan out how to address issue.
Also wonder did they consider keeping Epsilon on weekly Dublin to France run to soak up some capacity / affected travellers. Should be enough to capacity on central corridor to deal with the cancellation.
I am sure there is a clause in the contract whereby if the shipbuilder does not deliver the vessel on time there will be a financial penalty . I don't know if this is true or false but I remember hearing many moons ago the Isle of of inishmore was not delivered on time to Irish Ferries. By way of making up Van de Giesen Built the Glass bar which is now the club class lounge on the the top deck free of charge . True or False ??
We only have Irish Ferries side of the story so far, and seeing that FSG have another ship on the books for Irish Ferries the shipyard is being diplomatic about things .
We still dont know the extend of the delay. I agree Epsilon will probably be deployed on Dublin Cherbourg until the new ship is ready to take up service.
It was Irish Ferries decision to launch the ship on Ireland - France. If i had been Dublin - Holyhead the delay would never had to go Public.
Agreed IF Pete - What's also curious is how intensively IF decided to use the WB on arrival - throwing it into the middle of busy with virtually no allowance for any teething issues, sailing 18 hours a day for just about two months coming from a shipyard with no experience of building anything this big. I presume that they felt there was some slack time between handover and maiden voyage.
To your point SEA - I imagine there would be a financial penalty, though IF may have agreed a lower contract price in return for bearing the risk of late delivery.
Their share price is only down 0.35% today which isn't too significant, so investors can't be too worried by this.
If the comments after this article on The Journal are anything to go by a lot of people seem more accepting of this than I thought they would be.
http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-ferries-bad-3972757-Apr2018/ (http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-ferries-bad-3972757-Apr2018/)
Quote from: SEA on April 23, 2018, 01:16:42 PM
I am sure there is a clause in the contract whereby if the shipbuilder does not deliver the vessel on time there will be a financial penalty . I don't know if this is true or false but I remember hearing many moons ago the Isle of of inishmore was not delivered on time to Irish Ferries. By way of making up Van de Giesen Built the Glass bar which is now the club class lounge on the the top deck free of charge . True or False ??
Inishmore was involved in an incident during its launch when it went across the river and suffered minor damage, as a gesture shipyard fitted the glass bar on top to make up for delay and inconvenience.
If FSG have been smart, I would imagine there is no late delivery clause as it is quite a good value contract price compared to other orders placed since.
Surprised they did not deploy Epsilon in its place and transfer excess to Oscar Wilde, Horizon, would have been easier to manage, transfer bulk of Epsilon bookings to big U and excess to Stena or charter in freighter to provide cover.
Quote from: giftgrub on April 23, 2018, 10:09:32 PM
Quote from: SEA on April 23, 2018, 01:16:42 PM
I am sure there is a clause in the contract whereby if the shipbuilder does not deliver the vessel on time there will be a financial penalty . I don't know if this is true or false but I remember hearing many moons ago the Isle of of inishmore was not delivered on time to Irish Ferries. By way of making up Van de Giesen Built the Glass bar which is now the club class lounge on the the top deck free of charge . True or False ??
Inishmore was involved in an incident during its launch when it went across the river and suffered minor damage, as a gesture shipyard fitted the glass bar on top to make up for delay and inconvenience.
If FSG have been smart, I would imagine there is no late delivery clause as it is quite a good value contract price compared to other orders placed since.
Surprised they did not deploy Epsilon in its place and transfer excess to Oscar Wilde, Horizon, would have been easier to manage, transfer bulk of Epsilon bookings to big U and excess to Stena or charter in freighter to provide cover.
I imagine EPSILON would have a lot more traffic booked on her over the course of 3 weeks though considering the number of round trips she does and the amount of freight moving across the central corridor. Does it make more sense to annoy customers who travel a couple of times a year in peak or customers who use your service year round with contracts to do so? Chartering a freighter wouldn't be a solution for time-sensitive accompanied traffic either. It has been reported that we are talking around 10,000 passengers and less than 3,000 total bookings over the 3 week period, which is hardly full loads. Who here would be happy if they had booked on "Cruise Ferry" WB YEATS and got shoved onto EPSILON or STENA HORIZON without a say in the matter instead?
Without a doubt this could have been handled a lot better from the passengers perspective. It was perhaps unwise to schedule her so intensively considering the brevity of the build and the fact she is a new design for a yard that has never built a similar vessel, but with delivery in the peak season it was perhaps seen as being worth the risk rather than losing out on the entire summer. If anything it's normal for new vessels to be delayed, even if only slightly. Saying that, this is a vessel that was originally meant to be delivered in May which now looks unlikely to appear until towards the end of July at the earliest!
Having worked in a managerial role in customer service, the only reason to give customers a voucher that can only be used on a future date is to try to ensure they return - perhaps it would have been better to offer a discount on the already booked (and moved) trip and/OR a goodwill voucher for future use? The "goodwill gesture" itself seems to have created a lot of fury given the additional costs people are incurring. On that, I believe it isn't actually even a voucher or code but an electronic discount added to the customers online account. The press have had a field day, no doubt, and there have even been suggestions in the press that IF may be bending/breaking EU rules on compensation (they are claiming "unforeseen circumstances", essentially the act of God clause to avoid paying out). Of course there are two sides to every story, but at the end of the day Irish Ferries need their customers more than customers need Irish Ferries!
Personally I feel for the customer service staff who have had to take a real battering from customers over the past few days through no fault of their own, and who's hands appear to be tied.
Last I saw share price was down 2.8% btw.
Irish Times coverage today and I am sure other Papers was a little bit overboard (if you pardon the pun) to be fair to IF they have flagged this issue with 12 weeks notice and most people should be able to tweak their time off/ reschedule for a 24/48 hour period.
Obviously some people will feel done over by this, but hopefully IF who have many years experience handling customer experience will manage this ok.
I know it is a pain in the proverbial but it always reminds be of the saying "Sh1t Happens" but if they manage it properly everything should be OK.
Would imagine with hindsight they would have left themselves a few more weeks downtime to test ship on Ireland U.K. Routes and then start France run.
Only reason I suggested Epsilon is they have the mega capacity of Big U and ability to transfer some traffic to Stena to help mitigate PR issues ( remember we are enthusiasts, Muggles just want to go on holidays)
Perhaps some of the media reports are over the top, but we are talking about people who are out of pocket by some significant amounts - given we are talking about peak season it's perhaps unsurprising that some people are having issues finding alternative routes and are having to pay more just to get across as travel from Rosslare on alternative days doesn't suit (assuming there is space), never mind any additional accommodation costs incurred. That's before any potential lack of availability for ammended accommodation dates is even considered of course. What use is a discount next year to these people who's confidence in the company must be severely dented? Informing all customers at the same time via email after 9pm on a Friday night was asking for trouble - how well staffed is the call centre on a Friday night and over the weekend? Not well enough if the comments from customers all over social media are to be believed!
Putting aside the communication with customers, ICG should be well covered financially in terms of a delay in the delivery from the yard. We are also talking about a business with significant financial reserves as well, but the best they can do is a €150 Euro discount on a sailing next year that people might not even want to take as they plan to go elsewhere! Cancellations may have been unavoidable but the response and the "goodwill gesture" could have been much better in my opinion.
The attitude has been "it's not our fault", yet it was Irish Ferries who placed the order, advertised the space, and took the bookings telling people they would be travelling on a brand new luxury cruiseferry. According to irish ferries themselves 56% have made alternative arrangements with Irish Ferries, so effectively 44% of those with bookings have taken their refund and gone elsewhere such as Stena, Brittany Ferries, and of course the land bridge!
This isn't the first time people have had their sailings cancelled onboard this vessel, and I've seen reports of people with bookings after the 29th being cancelled by IF as well. I wonder when this vessel will actually turn up - for the sake of those looking forward to going on holiday on her I hope this is the last of the cancellations.
In Irish Ferries defence they have at least put out a few statements since the initial one updating on the situation.
At the end of the day IF have contracted to take these customers to France,
How they get there depends on transfering to Oscar Wilde or Stena Horizon or travelling overland to Portsmouth or Dover and onto the continent at IF expense.
The unfortunate problem is if they paid for a delux cabin in which case they may get some money back.
Its too early to see full impact of the disruption.
I would not be surprised in WB Yeats Season on Ireland - France is extended until end of September.
IF are not taking Bookings for her on Dublin - Holyhead.
Quote from: IFPete on April 25, 2018, 11:52:18 AM
At the end of the day IF have contracted to take these customers to France,
How they get there depends on transfering to Oscar Wilde or Stena Horizon or travelling overland to Portsmouth or Dover and onto the continent at IF expense.
The unfortunate problem is if they paid for a delux cabin in which case they may get some money back.
Its too early to see full impact of the disruption.
I would not be surprised in WB Yeats Season on Ireland - France is extended until end of September.
IF are not taking Bookings for her on Dublin - Holyhead.
She'll only be slotting on to Epsilon's schedule anyway. They didn't take bookings for Dublin Swift either but she's about to go into service.
As for Irish Ferries only being contracted to get passengers from Ireland to France, that's not true. They were contracted to get passengers from Dublin to Cherbourg, not Rosslare, Cork, or Galway to Cherbourg, Montoir, Le Havre, or Calais! For over 40% of bookings they couldn't even manage that, and instead those people are having to pay potentially inflated prices elsewhere due to lack of availability. The selling point of this service was convenience to the main population centre on the Island, the additional departure times, and luxury. Instead passengers are being charged the same price to have their holiday plans put into disarray and travel on what is on paper an inferior vessel to the one which they so aggressively advertised. Some may argue that having to drive to Rosslare isn't all that bad, but if that is the case what's the point in having the service from Dublin in the first place! I know of a few people from NI who are now taking the land bridge instead.
As reported elsewhere...
Following the initial sailing cancellations previously announced by Irish Ferries it was since confirmed on 12th June that all bookings for those who were intending to travel on the W.B.Yeats vessel throughout the whole month of August have now also been cancelled due to late delivery of the new ship.
The WB Yeats now likely to commence sailing with Irish Ferries on the Dublin to Holyhead route in September.
Source:
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/new-ferry-delay-sees-thousands-more-hit-by-irish-ferries-cancellations-1.3528011
As you would expect from the management of Irish Ferries the "compensation" they are offering is a derisory €150 money off voucher which must be used next year and is only valid on Ireland-France services. No offer to compensate passengers who do choose to be packed onto the Oscar Wilde for either fuel costs or other travel expenses or indeed for having to travel on a much older and far inferior ferry than the one they booked and paid for. No offer to compensate passengers if they have to start/end their holidays early or late.
The management of this company still believe that they can treat fare paying passengers in the same manner that they treat their staff.
"Brittany Ferries rows in to help Irish Ferries customers"
Brittany Ferries is trying to help people who booked with Irish Ferries WB Yeats, but may not be able to accommodate many because they are nearly full for July and August...
Further report via below link published in the Irish Examiner newspaper online edition.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/brittany-ferries-rows-in-to-help-irish-ferries-customers-471824.html
Rumours going around that Yeats is way off completion. ..someone got all the measurements for the accommodation all mixed ...and it's up to a meter off
Quote from: The insider on July 20, 2018, 12:54:16 PM
Rumours going around that Yeats is way off completion. ..someone got all the measurements for the accommodation all mixed ...and it's up to a meter off
Some strange rumours also on the Facebook that they forgot crew cabins and various other potential gaffs.
Given that the accommodation blocks were built off site, this is not impossible, however there must be regular checks and audits carried out during construction to ensure this type of issue does not arise.
There is obviously a major issue with construction of the WB and the potential damage this could have for the shipyard if IF were to cancel the contract or seek damages due to non performance of contract could be huge. (Hopefully will not come to that).
It is probably not a coincidence that this is the most complex ferry built at FSG and the delays should have been expected as the delivery plan was very ambitious, the knock on effect to the next Ferries due to be built could also be significant, we can expect delays to Honfleur, Georgie Burgess, and Spirit of Tasmania twins, no point building the hulls if they can't finish the rest of the ship.
Last major ferry order that went wrong, the Scandlines ferries Berlin/ Copenhagen closed the shipyard, and of course the late delivery of the Mont St Michel to BF was the deal that finished Van der Giessen de Noord.
When B+I Leinster and Connacht were build in Verolme in Cork, their fit-out took over a year for each. This is a complex task.
In those days a days delay in delivery once it went to press was considered a disaster.
Fitting out a more complex ferry like WB Yeats in four months was very ambitious and to be successful required really good planning and coordination between suppliers and sub-suppliers. It appears in this instance this was not the case particularly with the interior specification which was further subcontracted out. I wonder will the polish shipyards have to foot the bill or Sian Industires themselves.
I am sure Irish Ferries will come to an arrangement with Sian Industries prior to delivery of WB Yeats which hopefully will meet the spec 99 % when she is finally delivered.
Given the above and the extent of progress on Brittany Ferries sub-assembly construction there is a risk she my suffer a similar faite in terms of final delivery date.
Quote from: The insider on July 20, 2018, 12:54:16 PM
Rumours going around that Yeats is way off completion. ..someone got all the measurements for the accommodation all mixed ...and it's up to a meter off
82cm apparently ;)
This isn't a new rumour by any stretch. Its what some of us heard (from several independent sources) when the further delays were announced. However I doubt anyone is going to be willing to confirm if it is true. It would certainly account for the large additional delay, and if true wouldn't necessarily mean the 'official' explanation for the delay is totally inaccurate either (quite feasible things might need replaced as a result).
Which brings me nicely to this. Since I've been getting questions about compensation from affected customers of WB YEATS, ULYSSES, and EPSILON I have published a handy guide to the rules on compensation due to delay or cancellation of a ferry crossing. The ferry companies will probably hate me for it, but its nothing they don't bury in their terms and conditions anyway! Posting here as I know a number of concerned passengers read this forum.
https://www.niferry.co.uk/ferry-delay-cancellation-compensation/
The compensation limits are determined by EU.
In my case i mist my connection with Luftansa and had to spend the night on a bench at the airport,
I got nothing because Luftansa said it was the air traffic control delayed the flight. There were hundreds of people in Frankfurt in a similar situation.
Quote from: Steven on July 21, 2018, 07:13:37 PM
Quote from: The insider on July 20, 2018, 12:54:16 PM
Rumours going around that Yeats is way off completion. ..someone got all the measurements for the accommodation all mixed ...and it's up to a meter off
82cm apparently ;)
This isn't a new rumour by any stretch. Its what some of us heard (from several independent sources) when the further delays were announced. However I doubt anyone is going to be willing to confirm if it is true. It would certainly account for the large additional delay, and if true wouldn't necessarily mean the 'official' explanation for the delay is totally inaccurate either (quite feasible things might need replaced as a result).
Which brings me nicely to this. Since I've been getting questions about compensation from affected customers of WB YEATS, ULYSSES, and EPSILON I have published a handy guide to the rules on compensation due to delay or cancellation of a ferry crossing. The ferry companies will probably hate me for it, but its nothing they don't bury in their terms and conditions anyway! Posting here as I know a number of concerned passengers read this forum.
https://www.niferry.co.uk/ferry-delay-cancellation-compensation/
They'll need a lot of silicone to fill that gap :D
Thanks for the compensation guide.
Quote from: IFPete on July 21, 2018, 08:18:37 PM
The compensation limits are determined by EU.
In my case i mist my connection with Luftansa and had to spend the night on a bench at the airport,
I got nothing because Luftansa said it was the air traffic control delayed the flight. There were hundreds of people in Frankfurt in a similar situation.
ATC is a favourite excuse of Ryanair as well I believe. But at the end of the day if you don't try, you don't get. Flights are covered by separate legislation btw.
Quote from: ccs on July 21, 2018, 09:53:34 PM
Quote from: Steven on July 21, 2018, 07:13:37 PM
Quote from: The insider on July 20, 2018, 12:54:16 PM
Rumours going around that Yeats is way off completion. ..someone got all the measurements for the accommodation all mixed ...and it's up to a meter off
82cm apparently ;)
This isn't a new rumour by any stretch. Its what some of us heard (from several independent sources) when the further delays were announced. However I doubt anyone is going to be willing to confirm if it is true. It would certainly account for the large additional delay, and if true wouldn't necessarily mean the 'official' explanation for the delay is totally inaccurate either (quite feasible things might need replaced as a result).
Which brings me nicely to this. Since I've been getting questions about compensation from affected customers of WB YEATS, ULYSSES, and EPSILON I have published a handy guide to the rules on compensation due to delay or cancellation of a ferry crossing. The ferry companies will probably hate me for it, but its nothing they don't bury in their terms and conditions anyway! Posting here as I know a number of concerned passengers read this forum.
https://www.niferry.co.uk/ferry-delay-cancellation-compensation/
They'll need a lot of silicone to fill that gap :D
Thanks for the compensation guide.
I suspect it might take a bit more than some silicone lol.
No problem, it was something which was being added to the site anyway, but with the current issues at IF is also topical. At the end of the day if people don't know they can claim, they won't ,and if they don't claim they have no chance of any compensation at all. The ferry companies won't be bending over backwards to make sure they do, thats for sure!
Work on WB Yeats electrical system ongoing over weekend.
The ship externally looks close to completion and hopefully sea trials during August.
Quote from: IFPete on July 29, 2018, 05:16:13 PM
Work on WB Yeats electrical system ongoing over weekend.
The ship externally looks close to completion and hopefully sea trials during August.
Shame we can't easily see inside.
it would be great to be a fly on the wall.
Looks like the latest build at the Flensburger shipyard is about to hit the water. Painting appears finished, she's dressed up (sort of) and the Dais is in place.
Parking may be a problem outside.
New build launched. Hopefully the two ships on the pier will be going on sea trials soon.
Brittany Ferries next for construction???
Quote from: IFPete on August 03, 2018, 12:00:30 AM
New build launched. Hopefully the two ships on the pier will be going on sea trials soon.
Brittany Ferries next for construction???
Keel laying scheduled for tomorrow ;).
Any news on the WB Yeats? I note that the lower part of the superstructure is still covered with plastic or netting of some sort. She does not look like she is ready to move anytime soon?
The plastic is covering an emergency walkway at the front of the superstructure.
This will take about a day to remove after this area is spray painted. There is also a workshop on the stern ramp.
There is steady work on the ship with workers coming and going monday to saturday with fork lifts going in and out of the bow ramp removing scafolding etc. The cherry pickers have not been in evidence this week. At dusk you can see inside the car decks with the internal lighting.
When i visited Flemsburg on 23rd July they were testing the engines.
At that time the Lifeboats had yet to be installed.
My guess is delivery mid september unless there is another delay yet to be announced which from a reputational perspective should be unlikely.
Some new images of the W B Yeats on the link below
https://www.lebateaublog.fr/2018/08/16/w-b-yeats-au-chantier-fsg/
Originally posted here
https://bfenthusiasts.com/bfe/topic/10848-irish-ferries-announce-newbuild-for-ukirelandfrance/?page=14
Looks can be deceiving but doubt we will see it arrive in Ireland next month. (Hopefully I am wrong)
They could have missed a trick with the stern windows, if they are cabins, could have added balconies and charged a nice premium.
Will be interesting to see how the FSG bow profile performs in the heavy seas crossing to France, also what modifications will be made to the Georgie Burgess (IF new ship 2) based on the experience with this build.
Still think given the contract price that the shipyard are not paying Irish Ferries a penalty clause for late delivery, compared to the contract price for the Honfleur and TT Line twins, IF have got this one at a very good price.
Some more images of the W B Yeats incl interior on shipspotting.com
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/search.php?search_imo=9809679
Posted this evening on the Facebook.
Interesting to see the next two ships that were built in FSG alongside WB and knowing that BF newbuild Honfleur is being constructed in building hall.
Hopefully they have sent all subcontractors to B&Q to purchase tape measures and they have agreed to measure in either mms or inches this time !!!!!!
According to the irish times an Industry source said The W.B Yeats will not arrive until early October
Can't find any news regarding the delay
Quote from: Jamie1608 on August 30, 2018, 03:29:25 PM
Can’t find any news regarding the delay
its in here somewhere https://www.irishtimes.com/business/might-stalled-saudi-oil-ipo-deliver-silver-lining-for-irish-lawyers-1.3606594
It is all gone very quiet is WB actually going to appear in October?
Quote from: jgf on September 19, 2018, 09:39:20 PM
It is all gone very quiet is WB actually going to appear in October?
Now supposedly starting Sea Trials in October, rumors do point to electrical installation issues being the cause of the problem and daily compensation from Shipyard (would expect heads to roll at FSG after this debacle, giving IF ferry on the cheap and to pay compensation as well).
They will be glad to have WB gone from fitting out berth, also with the length of time hull has been in the water, probably need to clean the hull in drydock to attain maximum speed on sea trails, this could drag on for awhile yet.
IF under no pressure really until January for this new build when Ulysses goes for what will be a much needed drydock, would imagine they would like to have WB in service.
Its very sad to see such a screw-up happening for shipyard that has tried its best to be innovative and give sub-assembly work to shipyards in Poland that have struggled over the years.
Dispite this setback Irish Ferries continue to keep their purchasing power in europe unlike Stena and DFDs.
Hopefully the second car ferry project will be delivered on time without any of the drama WB Yeats has attracted.
I believe there is scope for a lot more orders from FSG , provided they learn the hard lessons from WB Yeats fitting out and late delivery.
Quote from: IFPete on September 22, 2018, 03:14:53 PM
Its very sad to see such a screw-up happening for shipyard that has tried its best to be innovative and give sub-assembly work to shipyards in Poland that have struggled over the years.
Dispite this setback Irish Ferries continue to keep their purchasing power in europe unlike Stena and DFDs.
Hopefully the second car ferry project will be delivered on time without any of the drama WB Yeats has attracted.
I believe there is scope for a lot more orders from FSG , provided they learn the hard lessons from WB Yeats fitting out and late delivery.
To be honest FSG's model of subcontracting superstructures has been well proven for over a decade. The difference this time is the scale of the project and the involvement of another sub-contractor to complete the centre module (which is the one rumoured to have the issues as well). Irish Ferries will have gotten this vessel "cheap" simply because it is the first vessel of this size the yard has completed and they need an order to prove themselves to be able to secure further (more profitable) orders - of which they have one for Brittany Ferries and two for TT Line Pty. Its not unusual for the first vessel of a type to be sold "cheap" by a yard just to secure that all important first order. Similar will have happened with Stena at AVIC I'm sure (and the more they order, the more profit will be made on each unit by the yard).
As for the comment about Stena and DFDS not investing in Europe, name a yard in Europe capable of producing that many vessels of that size in that time scale? DFDS has ordered six 6,700lm roro's which will be delivered within 4 years of the first order being placed, plus two 4500lm RoPax's from a different yard for delivery in 2021 ordered earlier this year. Stena have eight 3100lm+ Ro-pax's scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2022. Its almost two and a half years since WB YEATS was ordered and she hasn't even had trials!
European suppliers are also playing a huge part in those projects, especially the Stena one (I know less about the DFDS ones as I haven't been following them closely). ICG have ordered two one off vessels (though based on a modular design and with many similarities I'm told) with a huge amount of financial (loan) assistance from the EU. DFDS and Stena have ordered three series designs with their own resources. The ICG ships are essentially partially financed by the European Investment Bank, while the regional government in Germany has also provided assistance to the yard as well. I doubt that EU money would have been available for an order placed in China since it is EU tax payers money that is funding ICG's cheap finance! Loans of EUR 155m at less than 1.8% interest is a pretty big incentive to place an order in Europe if you ask me!
(Edit: should add that I'm not criticising ICG here, just pointing out we are talking about two entirely different situations here and that ICG May have an incentive to build in the EU that the others do not)
I've been hearing November for Yeats in service all being well, but there have also been some suggestions that it could be January 2019. ICG's prediction of "late 2018" doesn't inspire confidence, but better than naming another specific date to be missed! As for whats causing the delay, the large patch of primer on her port side where the aft and centre section meet is interesting..... Any issue with the prefabrication is going to take an inordinate amount of time to put right compared to the original prefabrication.
Excellant Summary Steven.
Sea trials POSSIBLY starting next Friday. I've heard there have been more setbacks though but at least there are suggestions of it happening. Of course it could be some time after trials before she is delivered.
https://www.niferry.co.uk/w-b-yeats-sea-trials/
Bunkering underway.
She's been bunkered.
The bunker is on her way from the shipyard
Lot's of hull painting taking place at the moment , bunch of cherry pickers along the starboard side working away painting the hull .
lotts of workers on board this morning
I would be surprised if she is ready to go out to sea today.
Huge amount of activity around the ship Upper car deck doors closed lots of workers leaving the ship windows being cleaned, think she will be underway soon.
Upper door will get a paint after she comes back from sea trails.
Does anyone have an estimated time for her to start her sea trials. She looks almost ready to go Thanks
Quote from: conor on October 19, 2018, 05:39:03 PM
Does anyone have an estimated time for her to start her sea trials. She looks almost ready to go Thanks
It was today but pushed back. A few days extra delay isn't going to make a lot of difference given how long she is delayed
https://www.niferry.co.uk/w-b-yeats-sea-trials/
Given how long the hull has been in the water, might even need to be drydocked to remove algae etc to reach contracted speeds etc ( unless the anti fouling is really good stuff).
Quote from: IFPete on October 19, 2018, 05:12:51 PM
Upper door will get a paint after she comes back from sea trails.
It's getting painted today.
According to chat on German shipping board WB due to start a 3 week trial on Friday 26th with a hand over to IF mid November and expected entry into service at the beginning of December. She is expected to be docking in Denmark during trials as FSG have no space for her.
She will undergo around 3-5 days sea trials off the island of Bornholm. She will then brifly return to FSG before heading to Fayard in Odense presumably to have scrubbers fitted. Then back to FSG for handover and delivery voyage to Dublin via Cherbourg in mid-November.
I'll be there in Cherbourg to make a few shots of her if the weather allow it.
I think they just finished the upgrade of the linkspan 2 in CH.
Has berth 3 at Cherbourg been upgraded?
Theres a lot of manpower being thrown onto her this week both day and night.
I suspect they will turn her around to remove the aft workshop and install the port lifeboats if they are not already hoisted on board.
Still some paint work to be done.
Quote from: Niall on October 23, 2018, 10:39:10 PM
Has berth 3 at Cherbourg been upgraded?
Berth 3 tipped over in 2011 and replaced by current berth 6, which is a large single-deck linskpan. According to Cherbourg harbour masters, the demand from IF was to get a double deck berth. Only berth 4 (sorry for my mistake in last message) was adapted for the Yeats, but still needed some works.
I saw the workshop cabins being removed from the ship over a week ago . Carried thru the car deck in sections on a large mast lift fork lift and then craned off the bow.
:) That means only the port life boats remaining and i have a feeling they were lifed off a barge or from the water directly.
Not too sure what to make of this, reports of an investigation by the federal prosecutor in Flensburg into a complaint of sabotage in relation to the WB. Apparently the shipyard have filed the complaint
"The prosecutor Flensburg confirmed on Thursday the receipt of a criminal complaint. It is about the suspicion of property damage, said the Chief Prosecutor in Flensburg, Ulrike Stahlmann-Liebelt. According to our editorial staff, an outlet valve on the cooling water circuit was closed, causing one of the ferry's four main engines to overheat. According to people who are familiar with the construction of the ferry, this must have been done intentionally. Corresponding information and assessments have been communicated to the staff of the shipyard management, which has now turned on the authorities. The incident is said to have happened on Wednesday last week."
full article
https://www.shz.de/lokales/flensburger-tageblatt/fsg-stellt-strafantrag-wegen-verdachts-der-manipulation-id21438947.html
and here
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Schaden-an-neuer-Faehre-FSG-erstattet-Anzeige,fsg242.html
I saw the Cherbourg Linskpan planning at the Cherbourg HM office, seems that she will be operating from Cherbourg starting ont the 15th of March.
Quote from: ferryfan on October 25, 2018, 01:56:31 PM
Not too sure what to make of this, reports of an investigation by the federal prosecutor in Flensburg into a complaint of sabotage in relation to the WB. Apparently the shipyard have filed the complaint
"The prosecutor Flensburg confirmed on Thursday the receipt of a criminal complaint. It is about the suspicion of property damage, said the Chief Prosecutor in Flensburg, Ulrike Stahlmann-Liebelt. According to our editorial staff, an outlet valve on the cooling water circuit was closed, causing one of the ferry's four main engines to overheat. According to people who are familiar with the construction of the ferry, this must have been done intentionally. Corresponding information and assessments have been communicated to the staff of the shipyard management, which has now turned on the authorities. The incident is said to have happened on Wednesday last week."
full article
https://www.shz.de/lokales/flensburger-tageblatt/fsg-stellt-strafantrag-wegen-verdachts-der-manipulation-id21438947.html
and here
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Schaden-an-neuer-Faehre-FSG-erstattet-Anzeige,fsg242.html
The shipyard will be glad to see the back of the W.B when it leaves, the level of shenanigans now reaches parts we never thought possible.
Would imagine that once sea trials start she will not return to shipyard and would still assume it will need a drydock and hull clean before handover.
It doesn't look like the sea trials will start today. Maybe there was some serious damage caused to the engine, the cherry picker they used to paint the upper car deck door is still there.
If the engine is really damaged which i doubt expect a IF stock market announcement.
Will fsg release a statement or update on the current circumstances? Some of it is beyond their control but it would be nice to know some dates and for them to stick to them without continuously postponing it. Doesn't look like she's ready to go today at all
Quote from: giftgrub on October 25, 2018, 09:55:52 PM
Quote from: ferryfan on October 25, 2018, 01:56:31 PM
Not too sure what to make of this, reports of an investigation by the federal prosecutor in Flensburg into a complaint of sabotage in relation to the WB. Apparently the shipyard have filed the complaint
"The prosecutor Flensburg confirmed on Thursday the receipt of a criminal complaint. It is about the suspicion of property damage, said the Chief Prosecutor in Flensburg, Ulrike Stahlmann-Liebelt. According to our editorial staff, an outlet valve on the cooling water circuit was closed, causing one of the ferry's four main engines to overheat. According to people who are familiar with the construction of the ferry, this must have been done intentionally. Corresponding information and assessments have been communicated to the staff of the shipyard management, which has now turned on the authorities. The incident is said to have happened on Wednesday last week."
full article
https://www.shz.de/lokales/flensburger-tageblatt/fsg-stellt-strafantrag-wegen-verdachts-der-manipulation-id21438947.html
and here
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Schaden-an-neuer-Faehre-FSG-erstattet-Anzeige,fsg242.html
The shipyard will be glad to see the back of the W.B when it leaves, the level of shenanigans now reaches parts we never thought possible.
Would imagine that once sea trials start she will not return to shipyard and would still assume it will need a drydock and hull clean before handover.
If it's just hull cleaning that's required that can be done with the ship in the water There's a system to do that which clings to the hull below the waterline and scrubs and blasts it .
WB Yeats looks ready for action. Hopefully she will go on sea trials tomorrow morning,
Steady stream of crew (i presume) going onboard dragging suitcase behind them.
The cherry picker was taken off just now through the lower vehicle deck. Tugs Kiel and Stein are en route to FSG now from Kiel. That piece of front decking at the top front of the ship will need a quick lick of paint before she goes out.
they loaded a 20 FT container onboard the upper deck this morning via the crane,
maybe the rain in Flemsburg will wash away the dust mark off the pier webcam.
It wasn't dust at the top of the webcam. The top of the shipis just out of view of the webcam. I saw that big container being looaded
W.B. Yeats' AIS now showing a destination of Bornholm.
Tugs are also now moving around WB yeats on ais.
Bow doors closed.
Under tow and away from the berth!
I presume they manoeuvre her like this at first because they are not yet sure how she will react in tight areas.
Hopefully all good news from now on, best of luck to all involved
Departing the berth at FSG last night under tow. She looks fantastic!
pic (c) the owner
I was Lucky enough to be able to have a sneaky look during work at her progression to Bornholm and she reached a top speed (so far) of 23.6 Knots
Has shown plenty of speed, impressive
24.1 knts at the moment just off Bornholm, not to shabby, shipyard crew must be having fun showing the IF crew what their new build can do.
Great to see WB finally motoring I look forward to travelling on her. Here's to no more delays.
Take a look at the elapsed time at X 60 from last night,
Outside Flemsburg Fiord they spend 6 hours checking out her manouverabily .
you can see how easy she can move sideways and manouver on a sixpence thanks to her trusters and propellers.
Sure is impressive, given how long we have waited, seems strange to see the new build at sea.
Bet there have been sighs of relief at Brittany Ferries and TT Line (Tasmania) today as well as IF as they all have big WB style Ferries on order.
Exactly she is the prototype with more to come.
She was up to 25 knots off Bornholm.
Any idea when (or even an Estimate) when it will head towards Dublin?
Mid November
Does anyone have an idea when the 2019 Ireland France booking engine starts ?
I know there is a link to sign up for first notice but I'm doubting that will happen ?
Nothing will be released until WB Yeats is delivered,
Does anybody know if the Scrubbers are aleady installed or has this still to happen, The vessel infront of WB Yeats is still in Odense having scrubbers installed.
This is what sea trials look like..
Sure looks impressive, today some tight 360 turns at 20+ knts and coming into them at speed, hopefully won't have to be repeated when in service and full of cars and passengers.
For anyone that saw the Queen Mary 2 documentary on Discovery/Quest over the years (one where they lost a door covering one of the bow thrusters) this all looks very familiar and is a very positive step.
Obviously no inside information at the moment but one would assume the WB has performed to its design brief, which given its troubles pretty much since the hull was launched is a great step forward and maybe IF's Annus Horribilius is about to end.
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Why would the Irish and British trade Unions not "organise" the present crews and encourage them to joint a Trade Union for better conditions / pay? Surely this would be better than expecting to replace the current crews (regardless of where they are from) with people who may not want to work anyway.
Quote from: Bikermate on November 02, 2018, 08:30:41 PM
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Why would the Irish and British trade Unions not "organise" the present crews and encourage them to joint a Trade Union for better conditions / pay? Surely this would be better than expecting to replace the current crews (regardless of where they are from) with people who may not want to work anyway.
A good question! I don't know anything about Irish TU law, but in Britain you can be recognised by a union if more than 50% of the workforce vote to be so. The question is: would the current IF employees vote in this way? Ryanair have recently had to recongise and pay more to staff they employ outside Ireland.
Matt
W.B.Y. is now travelling through Flensborg Fjord, presumably on her way back to Flensburger.
Sea trials must be finished, now for the Snag list to be done
Quote from: Matt73 on November 04, 2018, 05:53:20 PM
Quote from: Bikermate on November 02, 2018, 08:30:41 PM
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Why would the Irish and British trade Unions not "organise" the present crews and encourage them to joint a Trade Union for better conditions / pay? Surely this would be better than expecting to replace the current crews (regardless of where they are from) with people who may not want to work anyway.
A good question! I don't know anything about Irish TU law, but in Britain you can be recognised by a union if more than 50% of the workforce vote to be so. The question is: would the current IF employees vote in this way? Ryanair have recently had to recongise and pay more to staff they employ outside Ireland.
Matt
It's a long story but basically in about 2004 ICG threatened to withdraw services they sacked almost their entire workforce and outsourced their jobs they re-registered their vessels to the Bahamas in order to avoid being bound to local labour laws. As it was put at the time they chose to fly the Flag of Greed. Minimum wages statutory workers rights entitlement to leave were all done away with and the new workers brought in were working for about 1/3 of the former Irish workforce.
So as they staff are outsourced and the ships registered outside the EU there is no chance of any union recognition for the workers.
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
I doubt ICG management are trembling at the prospect tbh. They've faced down the unions before and I don't see them changing their stance. In any case Irish Ferries don't employ the crews! Its not like they even care about bad publicity (just look at how much of that they've shrugged off this year alone).
Quote from: Matt73 on November 04, 2018, 05:53:20 PM
Quote from: Bikermate on November 02, 2018, 08:30:41 PM
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Why would the Irish and British trade Unions not "organise" the present crews and encourage them to joint a Trade Union for better conditions / pay? Surely this would be better than expecting to replace the current crews (regardless of where they are from) with people who may not want to work anyway.
A good question! I don't know anything about Irish TU law, but in Britain you can be recognised by a union if more than 50% of the workforce vote to be so. The question is: would the current IF employees vote in this way? Ryanair have recently had to recongise and pay more to staff they employ outside Ireland.
Matt
Would it not be a question of Cypriot law anyway given the crews are employed by a Cyprus based company? If the crews are happy enough with their T's & C's (and it seems they are) what incentive is there for them to join any union? In context the wages they are paid are good compared to what they could get back home. The maritime labour market is very international - what's to stop Irish Ferries/Matrix replacing them with even cheaper crews from the Far East for example should they decide to cause "trouble" (and its not unusual for Philippines nationals to work on ships based in the EU)? I wouldn't be surprised if there are people queuing up for a job on a modern EU short-sea passenger vessel despite the wages - better than working on an antiquated tanker or cargo vessel sailing long distances for even less money!
Getting 50% of any company to vote to join a union can be a big ask these days in any case, you only have to look at ballot participation to see how many people actively engage in TU's these days. Union membership in the UK at least (I can't speak for ROI as I honestly don't know) is quite low (especially in the private sector) despite some very public walkouts in recent years. Just look at the issues around unionising at Ryan Air, and we are talking about well paid highly educated people (pilots).
Quote from: Bikermate on November 02, 2018, 08:30:41 PM
Quote from: The insider on November 02, 2018, 06:22:53 PM
When she does arrive a planned protest will take place ...British and Irish unions will be present...Irish Ferries still pay terrible wages to mostly eastern european crews ...and the prospect of employing local crews is a million miles away..shame on them.....lets hope there is a big turn out
Why would the Irish and British trade Unions not "organise" the present crews and encourage them to joint a Trade Union for better conditions / pay? Surely this would be better than expecting to replace the current crews (regardless of where they are from) with people who may not want to work anyway.
Ther's a reason the ships are registered in Cyprus .
Any news of when Dublin / Cherbourg sailings will commence ?
Dublin - Cherbourg is operating three times per week with Oscar Wilde X1 and Epsilon X 1.
I see WB Yeats is doing circuits outside Flemburg Fjiord with Detination little belt 7 Nov 2018,
Thanks Pete
I meant when will summer sailing schedule resume WB Yeats or Oscar Wilde ?
Camp sites and villas bookings are filling up and there will be little choice left soon.
We would have had our summer accommodation booked long ago at this stage in previous years.
According to today's Irish Times ICG have made a design change to the WB setting aside space on one of the upper decks as a "contingency" duty-free shop, should the brexit fiasco result in the return of cheap fags and booze sales.
Quote from: brainferry on November 05, 2018, 11:29:16 AM
Thanks Pete
I meant when will summer sailing schedule resume WB Yeats or Oscar Wilde ?
Camp sites and villas bookings are filling up and there will be little choice left soon.
We would have had our summer accommodation booked long ago at this stage in previous years.
I presume they will stick with what they originally advised with WB starting on Dublin Holyhead and moving to the Dublin Cherbourg around Easter until to September.
We have to wait and see. Anything is possible.
Quote from: ferryfan on November 05, 2018, 11:31:57 AM
According to today's Irish Times ICG have made a design change to the WB setting aside space on one of the upper decks as a "contingency" duty-free shop, should the brexit fiasco result in the return of cheap fags and booze sales.
Interesting they don't actually say what the source of this information is and whether it is just speculation or not. To be honest "setting aside space" could be as simple as having a plan to condense other displays in response in the same way as supermarkets often do to incorporate seasonal events such as Xmas and Easter.
Of course for duty free to return it would probably need the agreement of the EU so it could be incorporated into the relevant customs and trade deals anyway (an issue somewhat complicated by the border in Ireland). Else you could have the scenario that the appropriate duty is slapped on at arrival in any EU port! That also then raises the question of who pays for the infrastructure to impose those tariffs - there could be a strong argument that as the ferry companies are making a killing on duty free it should be them (perhaps an increase in passenger fees would be the mechanism?). As I've said before I doubt it's at the top of the negotiating agenda of either the EU27 or the UK. Good potential to boost revenue though, but I wouldn't be planning any booze cruises just yet. It might be different for airports as most of them already have the spaces and infrastructure there anyway meaning it could be as simple as changing a flag in the EPOS software to charge whatever the agreed amount is at the point of sale, as is already the case. What I'm trying to say is any deviation in tariffs between IE and UK could end up having a cost for ferry operators that would need to be passed on to passengers who might still be subject to tariffs in the end but, not so much airlines. If duty has to be paid entering the EU but not the UK it could be a bit of a nightmare! It a a matter of wait and see as IF Pete says I suppose!
Here's the link to the story anyway https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/icg-makes-space-on-new-ferry-for-post-brexit-duty-free-sales-1.3686027?mode=amp
WB Yeats is confirmed on the 15th of March in Cherbourg, according to Harbour Masters.
She will finish her summer season sailings around the 10th of September.
Irish Times article is for them very strange, referencing no sources and saying WB arrived last month which we all know is horse sh1t.
From the article
"
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft blamed one of its own suppliers for the delays. The ship arrived here last month and is undergoing sea trials."
Would make one think story placed to generate some good PR in the absence of good news.
WB is heading back to FSG tonight.
They have moved the Freighter being fitted out to the other side of the pier.
Quote from: giftgrub on November 05, 2018, 08:01:17 PM
Irish Times article is for them very strange, referencing no sources and saying WB arrived last month which we all know is horse sh1t.
From the article
"
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft blamed one of its own suppliers for the delays. The ship arrived here last month and is undergoing sea trials."
Would make one think story placed to generate some good PR in the absence of good news.
It is very strange for the IT, even the style of it. As you say possibly placed to generate a bit of good PR
Now that the Yeats is back from her Sea trials whats next ?Have the Scrubbers still to be fitted or is she ready to be handed over to ICG ?
Quote from: SEA on November 07, 2018, 01:30:40 PM
Now that the Yeats is back from her Sea trials whats next ?Have the Scrubbers still to be fitted or is she ready to be handed over to ICG ?
I think she still has to head to Denmark to have her scrubbers fitted. Alf Pollak is still in Odense.
Alf Pollock was suppost to vacate drydock last monday,
W.B. YEATS arrived back at FSG earlier (looking a little rusty and with that section on the port side where the aft and middle modules join still in primer). Some pictures on NIFS
https://www.niferry.co.uk/in-pictures-irish-ferries-w-b-yeats-returns-from-sea-trials/
Great photos Steven. Thanks for sharing.
Quote from: Steven on November 07, 2018, 05:01:08 PM
W.B. YEATS arrived back at FSG earlier (looking a little rusty and with that section on the port side where the aft and middle modules join still in primer). Some pictures on NIFS
https://www.niferry.co.uk/in-pictures-irish-ferries-w-b-yeats-returns-from-sea-trials/
Thanks also for posting at least they can see the bits they missed, looks very weather marked for a brand new ferry after a week and half's use.
It was not touched up before the sea trials
I just read this on line,Published by the Irish Sun Yesterday. could this delay delivery even more ...
https://www.thesun.ie/news/3360072/german-cops-sabotage-irish-ferry/
I find it hard to believe that the scrubbers have not yet been installed , if not, were are they to be installed ? , around the funnel like on the Pont Aven . I dought it .
No response from IF. I guess they must be happy enough with her performance.
Press Release from shipyard.
New construction "W.B.Yeats" has successfully completed test drive
771
The most recent newbuilding of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the passenger ferry "W.B.Yeats", has successfully completed its 10-day test drive today and has returned to Flensburg.
Now the remaining work is done at the shipyard.
Facts and figures about the new building NB771 "W.B. Yeats ":
194.60 meters in length
31.60 meters wide
54,975 gross tons
33,600 kilowatts of power Main engine
1,885 passengers and crew
455 passenger cabins plus 60 crew cabins
2,800 spur meters
Equipped with scrubbers for cleaning ship emissions
Flensburg, November 7, 2018
Quote from: IFPete on November 09, 2018, 09:39:04 AM
Press Release from shipyard.
New construction "W.B.Yeats" has successfully completed test drive
771
The most recent newbuilding of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the passenger ferry "W.B.Yeats", has successfully completed its 10-day test drive today and has returned to Flensburg.
Now the remaining work is done at the shipyard.
Facts and figures about the new building NB771 "W.B. Yeats ":
194.60 meters in length
31.60 meters wide
54,975 gross tons
33,600 kilowatts of power Main engine
1,885 passengers and crew
455 passenger cabins plus 60 crew cabins
2,800 spur meters
Equipped with scrubbers for cleaning ship emissions
Flensburg, November 7, 2018
Is there a delivery date yet?
Quote from: Chef on November 08, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
I find it hard to believe that the scrubbers have not yet been installed , if not, were are they to be installed ? , around the funnel like on the Pont Aven . I dought it .
Space will have been allowed for inside the funnel given she was designed with scrubber installation in mind unlike older vessels such as PA. There's a precedent actually - ALF POLLAK had her scrubbers fitted after her trials (also off Bornholm and the Danish coast) at Odense.
Quote from: IFPete on November 07, 2018, 11:57:27 PM
It was not touched up before the sea trials
Technically not true. Someone obviously had the paint out at some stage in the past couple of weeks else the area around the bow doors (and others) would still have primer on them!!
Quote from: conor on November 09, 2018, 11:09:25 PM
Quote from: IFPete on November 09, 2018, 09:39:04 AM
Press Release from shipyard.
New construction "W.B.Yeats" has successfully completed test drive
771
The most recent newbuilding of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the passenger ferry "W.B.Yeats", has successfully completed its 10-day test drive today and has returned to Flensburg.
Now the remaining work is done at the shipyard.
Facts and figures about the new building NB771 "W.B. Yeats ":
194.60 meters in length
31.60 meters wide
54,975 gross tons
33,600 kilowatts of power Main engine
1,885 passengers and crew
455 passenger cabins plus 60 crew cabins
2,800 spur meters
Equipped with scrubbers for cleaning ship emissions
Flensburg, November 7, 2018
I'm told there is still some commissioning work to do. Perhaps we might see her in Dublin before the end of the month. Then there will likely be weeks of trials, crew familiarisation, drills, and inspections. Fingers crossed she gets in service for Xmas!
Is there a delivery date yet?
Quote from: Steven on November 09, 2018, 11:43:24 PM
Quote from: Chef on November 08, 2018, 10:53:46 AM
I find it hard to believe that the scrubbers have not yet been installed , if not, were are they to be installed ? , around the funnel like on the Pont Aven . I dought it .
Space will have been allowed for inside the funnel given she was designed with scrubber installation in mind unlike older vessels such as PA. There's a precedent actually - ALF POLLAK had her scrubbers fitted after her trials (also off Bornholm and the Danish coast) at Odense.
Quote from: IFPete on November 07, 2018, 11:57:27 PM
It was not touched up before the sea trials
Technically not true. Someone obviously had the paint out at some stage in the past couple of weeks else the area around the bow doors (and others) would still have primer on them!!
Quote from: conor on November 09, 2018, 11:09:25 PM
Quote from: IFPete on November 09, 2018, 09:39:04 AM
Press Release from shipyard.
New construction "W.B.Yeats" has successfully completed test drive
771
The most recent newbuilding of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the passenger ferry "W.B.Yeats", has successfully completed its 10-day test drive today and has returned to Flensburg.
Now the remaining work is done at the shipyard.
Facts and figures about the new building NB771 "W.B. Yeats ":
194.60 meters in length
31.60 meters wide
54,975 gross tons
33,600 kilowatts of power Main engine
1,885 passengers and crew
455 passenger cabins plus 60 crew cabins
2,800 spur meters
Equipped with scrubbers for cleaning ship emissions
Flensburg, November 7, 2018
I'm told there is still some commissioning work to do. Perhaps we might see her in Dublin before the end of the month. Then there will likely be weeks of trials, crew familiarisation, drills, and inspections. Fingers crossed she gets in service for Xmas!
Is there a delivery date yet?
Thanks Steven.
Well looks like the paint brushes are out in force today on the port side .
I will be there for the protest and hopefully alot more
Quote from: The insider on November 10, 2018, 03:43:43 PM
I will be there for the protest and hopefully alot more
Well you should be easy to spot , you'll probably be the sole protester . By the way what will you be protesting about ?
Irish Ferries use of cheap foreign labour .Dont forget Irish Ferries put an end to the irish seafarer a long and proud irish merchant navy and Irish Ferries wiped out the last of it .Local jobs on both sides of the Irish sea and decent pay would be a positive thing
Mod note
Threads go off topic, but i'm not sure the downfall of the Irish Merchant Navy is relevant to the delivery of W.B Yates. If you want to discuss (please do, it's fascinating, specially Irish Shippings history and sudden liquidation), please start a separate thread.
Quote from: Chef on November 10, 2018, 12:08:43 PM
Well looks like the paint brushes are out in force today on the port side .
Yes. Not quite time to get the champagne out but getting closer! Let's hope there's no further setbacks!
Quote from: Steven on November 12, 2018, 11:06:18 PM
Quote from: Chef on November 10, 2018, 12:08:43 PM
Well looks like the paint brushes are out in force today on the port side .
Yes. Not quite time to get the champagne out but getting closer! Let's hope there's no further setbacks!
blue containers were loaded onto her this afternoon, so could be a sign that they are getting ready to leave port again.
I presume when they do get underway that they'll take the Kiel Canal to save going the long way round Denmark.
There'll be good pictures from that journey !
Is she going to Odense for Scrubbers first ? Alf Pollock has just vacated the drydock there.
Sailing from Dublin to Cherbourg on Oscar Wilde at 16.00 today. Back following day.
Quick trip to E Leclerc........
61st time on board.
First time ever from Dublin to France and likely the last time on Oscar Wilde.
61 return crossings x premium cabin (plus speedy exit) I should own part of the ship by now ?
Will be sad to see her go but really looking forward to WB Yeats ( and even more expensive premium cabins )
Also been thinking of doing a mini cruise from Dublin to Cherbourg on OW, and then maybe WBY next year.
Can find fares for about £120 for basic cabin but above car deck which is two nights on board and some little time in Cherbourg.
Cabins look a little dated to me, and I wonder if all facilities will be open on ship as it must be fairly quiet. Also I will have to go Holyhead to Dublin first which is An extra cost and not all Holyhead sailings accept footies - but not sure why.
Maybe IF cold offer Dublin Cherbourg mini cruise with a connection from Holyhead for say £10 return. after all they would get the money spent on board.
We do the mini cruise to Cherbourg 2 or 3 times every year as late as mid December and shops, bars, restaurants are open. Not all the bars but everything is available. Best time to go. No queues .....
Made this trip 3 weeks ago. It was a really nice voyage. Great views of the sun setting behind the Wicklow mountains. Berneval restaurant was closed. Steak bar and cafeteria were open though.
so do you reckon in 2019 no more Oscar Wilde in IF colours
Quote from: brainferry on November 15, 2018, 09:28:06 AM
Sailing from Dublin to Cherbourg on Oscar Wilde at 16.00 today. Back following day.
Quick trip to E Leclerc........
61st time on board.
First time ever from Dublin to France and likely the last time on Oscar Wilde.
61 return crossings x premium cabin (plus speedy exit) I should own part of the ship by now ?
Will be sad to see her go but really looking forward to WB Yeats ( and even more expensive premium cabins )
Just 1small bar open tonight.
Hardly 50 passengers on board.
Still smiling faces on all the usual great staff and crew.
Just love this mini cruise .
Hope WB Yeats continues.
Amyone stayed in the Stena Horizon 5 star cabins ?
Was Oscar Wilde ever in IF colours?
I was gonna write that we did a mini cruise on OW a few years ago but now that I've checked it out it was in fact 10 years ago-[ It was over the October weekend in 2008 departing Rosslare Sunday at 6pm. The ship layed over in Cherbourg on Monday night so we sailed back late on Tuesday. The ship had just completed her first full season in IF service and she was in great nick after being refurbished before entry into service. We stayed in a premium cabin with a great view over the bow and had great weather on both legs. The ship was quiet but all facilities were open.
Quote from: Davy Jones on November 15, 2018, 06:37:57 PM
Was Oscar Wilde ever in IF colours?
No she was never painted to match the rest of the fleet.
no never was and its a shame she wasn't great ship
hopefully she will on French in summer of '19
one of the last of great old style ferries
Less there be any confusion WB Yeats (LE) due in Dublin next Tuesday the 20th November is the Irish Navy Vessel.
Thrre are photos of OW onboard the ship depicting her painted in IF colours .
I took a photo but it's too large to paste here
Quote from: brainferry on November 16, 2018, 02:20:45 PM
Thrre are photos of OW onboard the ship depicting her painted in IF colours .
I took a photo but it's too large to paste here
It's photo shopped
A Kiel canal tug Falckenstein arrived in Flensburg earlier today her ais has her scheduled back at Kiel on Sunday. She is currently standing off the stern of the WB Yeats.
Quote from: ferryfan on November 16, 2018, 04:03:39 PM
A Kiel canal tug Falckenstein arrived in Flensburg earlier today her ais has her scheduled back at Kiel on Sunday. She is currently standing off the stern of the WB Yeats.
Does this mean that she will be leaving for Dublin this weekend or does she have to have any other work done?
Ok Falckenstein is now heading back out of Flensburg. What's the story there?
It could have been towing a barge , they bring smaller pre fabricated sections from Gdnask on barges and unload them trough the building hall with the gantry cranes . The doors were open earlier today with the caisson removed to allow water in , the gantry cranes can extend a few metres out of the hall to lift off the sections . They are most likely sections for the ship that will be built next in the hall .They are not the superstructure sections for the Brittany Ferries new ship , they will be delivered after the hull is launched .
Quote from: Chef on November 16, 2018, 05:59:25 PM
It could have been towing a barge , they bring smaller pre fabricated sections from Gdnask on barges and unload them trough the building hall with the gantry cranes . The doors were open earlier today with the caisson removed to allow water in , the gantry cranes can extend a few metres out of the hall to lift off the sections . They are most likely sections for the ship that will be built next in the hall .They are not the superstructure sections for the Brittany Ferries new ship , they will be delivered after the hull is launched .
OK thanks
Quote from: ferryfan on November 16, 2018, 04:03:39 PM
A Kiel canal tug Falckenstein arrived in Flensburg earlier today her ais has her scheduled back at Kiel on Sunday. She is currently standing off the stern of the WB Yeats.
Was reading on Keli canal. According to WIkipedia. WB Yeats iBeam close to max!
Interesting canal amyone made the journey?
Painters busy on a sunday touching up the paint. At least three cherry pickers in action.
Hopefully WB Yeats will be ready for delivery voyage this week.
Word off the German forums is that "delivery" is expected on Thursday 22nd.
No word if that is a handover in Flensburg or arrival in Dublin. If it's to be in Dublin for Thursday it'd want to be moving fairly sharpish!
https://forum-schiff.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7550&start=180
Delivery normally takes place at the shipyard. Same as buying a car, they want to get the money before you sail it off the forecourt :-)
Does the starboard side need paint touch up ?
Starboard side was touched up prior to the sea trials .
If delivery is really planned on Thursday, maybe she'll run on MGO first.
Or will she be fitted with scrubbers right after delivery ?
must be linkspan test in cherbourg before dublin
Yeats is already fitted with scrubbers unlike Alf Pollak
Quote from: Niall on November 20, 2018, 09:58:02 PM
Yeats is already fitted with scrubbers unlike Alf Pollak
Okay thank you, I thought she was supposed to go through Odense shipyard ! Thanks for the info !
yes can be a hull painting before going to cherbourg a friend who works at the port of cherbourg told me that she had to do test bridges number 4 end of november for the changes that were required by irish ferries excuse me for my approximate English
WB Yeats to be handed over tomorrow.
Still in Flensburg
Given the delivery delay since June, I am surprised IF haven't immediately sailed WB to Cherbourg if indeed was handed over today ?
It is still impossible to book a crossing from Ireland to France in 2019 on booking engine .
Shocking.
Must be impacting on IF share value ?
Lets see what happens tomorrow,
Friday is a better day to have a party,
It appears that WB Yeats received fuel this morning.
Quote from: IFPete on November 22, 2018, 08:46:19 PM
Lets see what happens tomorrow,
Friday is a better day to have a party,
It appears that WB Yeats received fuel this morning.
Where did you get the info about the fueling?
There was a large fuel truck on the quayside beside WB Yeats today on the FSG webcam. It left during the afternoon before sunset.
Ok thanks Niall
Quote from: Niall on November 22, 2018, 09:26:17 PM
There was a large fuel truck on the quayside beside WB Yeats today on the FSG webcam. It left during the afternoon before sunset.
She will require a lot more than one fuel truck before she sails. One truck won't even last her a day.
My guess is the fuel is just about enough for her to get to Odense
Quote from: Niall on November 22, 2018, 10:54:46 PM
My guess is the fuel is just about enough for her to get to Odense
She is not going to Odense. She has her scrubbers fitted already.
Quote from: Wilty on November 22, 2018, 10:41:20 PM
Quote from: Niall on November 22, 2018, 09:26:17 PM
There was a large fuel truck on the quayside beside WB Yeats today on the FSG webcam. It left during the afternoon before sunset.
She will require a lot more than one fuel truck before she sails. One truck won't even last her a day.
It's not the only fuel delivery. There was a fuel truck and trailer (so another 40000L or so) a few days back too, and who knows if there was others besides .
From a Canadian source, a fsg ferry running over there takes 6000L (give or take) to make a 5 hour journey with passengers and cars, so working off that, a truck tanker load would give a ferry well over a day at sea, so a few truck loads should get it to ireland, and definitely to cherbourg .
Quote from: munchkin on November 23, 2018, 08:03:32 AM
Quote from: Wilty on November 22, 2018, 10:41:20 PM
Quote from: Niall on November 22, 2018, 09:26:17 PM
There was a large fuel truck on the quayside beside WB Yeats today on the FSG webcam. It left during the afternoon before sunset.
She will require a lot more than one fuel truck before she sails. One truck won't even last her a day.
It's not the only fuel delivery. There was a fuel truck and trailer (so another 40000L or so) a few days back too, and who knows if there was others besides .
From a Canadian source, a fsg ferry running over there takes 6000L (give or take) to make a 5 hour journey with passengers and cars, so working off that, a truck tanker load would give a ferry well over a day at sea, so a few truck loads should get it to ireland, and definitely to cherbourg .
Those figures are way out for a ship of Yates size, she would need around two trucks per day to operate a normal ferry service but her delivery voyage is not a normal service and will be running for a longer period so may well use more depending on the speed she goes at. I'm sure Irish Ferries would be over the moon is she used only 6000 litres of fuel per 5 hours Sea time. Do you happen to know how much fuel per day Ulysses uses?
Quote from: conor on November 22, 2018, 08:55:35 PM
Quote from: IFPete on November 22, 2018, 08:46:19 PM
Lets see what happens tomorrow,
Friday is a better day to have a party,
It appears that WB Yeats received fuel this morning.
Where did you get the info about the fueling?
Friday was obviously not a party day.
IF what is going on ?
2019 booking not open.
Come on...
As I've said before this is poor by IF. Giving us no update on WB at all. You'd think they could at least give a date as to when she'll arrive in Dublin.
25% off all Stena Line route s for next year today ,
https://forum-schiff.de/FphpBB3/Fviewtopic.php?f=2/6t=7550/6start=190/6fbclid=IwAR3CBZpUxkIkmugoJp8x003rNIejTySup5otzYcw8C2Qm_Qas71T9R-HCmI&h=AT0I4MGg8uhPyCW9io3cf6VA8trG9q4z53_GdAOjz49niSbJuIG6Skg1DkLHCaw5mWs_vWTQjYO7xKFwCaidX0gBX2wxMHAKSOx_oZcSX4Q8wLWWVETvSmTFy1-Ddh531VE
I see WBYeats engines are running today .
Getting ready to sail ?
According to a Flemsburg source, WB Yeats is being prepared for delivery to Irish Ferries Next Friday 30 November 2018,
The rust over the bridge is now removed and the final work on the passenger areas is being completed.
Quote from: IFPete on November 24, 2018, 04:11:31 PM
According to a Flemsburg source, WB Yeats is being prepared for delivery to Irish Ferries Next Friday 30 November 2018,
The rust over the bridge is now removed and the final work on the passenger areas is being completed.
To be handed over in Flensenburg? Or delivered to Dublin?
Flensburg
One can't help but feel that Irish Ferries having been burned over the summer by putting up WB Yeats for booking based on a rather optimistic delivery date they have now gone to the other extreme and are not putting WBY on the booking engine until they are absolutely sure she will be able to fulfil the commitment.
It is interesting to note that the booking engine has OW replacing Ulysses during it's refit in January and no ship doing the opposite shift.
Quote from: A83 on November 26, 2018, 09:54:28 AM
One can't help but feel that Irish Ferries having been burned over the summer by putting up WB Yeats for booking based on a rather optimistic delivery date they have now gone to the other extreme and are not putting WBY on the booking engine until they are absolutely sure she will be able to fulfil the commitment.
It is interesting to note that the booking engine has OW replacing Ulysses during it's refit in January and no ship doing the opposite shift.
I think (but am not sure) that Epsilon's charter expires at the end of the year. Somebody suggested that Epsilon may be on the France route in January but they are not taking bookings for Ireland to France after the 27th December.
My guess is that when W B Lates does arrive, it will go into operation on the Dub to Holyhead route. If you book OW to Holyhead, there is no option to book cabin's.
If Epsilons charter expires , there must be something lined up to replace her from next May to September 2019
According a ICGs half yearly report it would suggest that the Epsilon won't be returned to her owners untilFSG777 is delievered in 2020. I would suspect that Epsilon will operate DUB-CER until spring time. And that the OW in the booking engine will be swapped out for the WBY when she does arrive. There is no way that OW could cover DUB-HHD on her own, surely they would send OW to ROS and bring the IoI up to Dublin for cover.
Quote from: Ulysses17 on November 27, 2018, 10:59:54 AM
According a ICGs half yearly report it would suggest that the Epsilon won't be returned to her owners untilFSG777 is delievered in 2020. I would suspect that Epsilon will operate DUB-CER until spring time. And that the OW in the booking engine will be swapped out for the WBY when she does arrive. There is no way that OW could cover DUB-HHD on her own, surely they would send OW to ROS and bring the IoI up to Dublin for cover.
I read that in the report too but as of today Epsilon is not on the booking engine for next year on any route. I think you are correct when you say OW would not be able to cover for Ulysses on her own. Thursdays trading update will possibly clear up these matters.
Will do you think OW for summer 2019 revert to Ross-france alongside WBY DUB - CHER
OW is doing great work out of Dublin, substituting for Epsilon at weekends when freight loads are not high.
Having her Dublin based next summer continues the flexibility although she will be focused on Rosscoff route.
Quote from: IFPete on November 27, 2018, 04:09:13 PM
OW is doing great work out of Dublin, substituting for Epsilon at weekends when freight loads are not high.
Having her Dublin based next summer continues the flexibility although she will be focused on Rosscoff route.
So no IF Rosslare- France next summer?
Great work would equal Irish Ferries having any ship on their booking engine, Ireland to France fro today ?
Quote from: brainferry on November 27, 2018, 06:43:03 PM
Great work would equal Irish Ferries having any ship on their booking engine, Ireland to France fro today ?
😃 that would involve using their Brain
I find it crazy that they have no listings. Even if ferry changes at this stage it is less of an issue than losing the booking.
Normally the only sailings to France are epsilons Dublin - Cherbourg sailings at weekends from January to Late February during drydock period.
If epsilon leaves the fleet that means No sailings until early March on Ireland - France route. unless they bring back Dublin Swift in February to allow WB Yeats to go to Cherbourg at weekends. Remember Oscar Wilde will go to Pembroke to replace IOI while she drydocks and the Oscar Wilde will go to Drydock herself.
At the moment Dublin Swift comes back into service on Thrusday 14th March 2019 and WB Yeats is rumoured to operate its first sailing from Dublin to Cherbourg on Friday 15th March 2019.
What we do not know yet is what ship will replace Epsilon. My money is on Brittany Ferries Normandie or Etretat assuming Honfleur does not suffer a similar fait to WB Yeats. A lease between April and October 2019 would cover Dublin Holyhead or Rosslare Pembroke sailings while WB Yeats operates to France.
W. B. YEATS doesn't appear on the schedule either, does that mean they've sold her? ::). Theres no vessel on the France schedule at all yet, does that mean they've sold Oscar as well? ::)
The logical explanation could be that Epsilon is on the France schedule. Which hasn't been released yet! W.B. Yeats would likely be more suited to Holyhead earlier in the year anyway, when tourist numbers are low on the France route and when she's most likely to have teething issues (not to mention that this was the plan all along!). They probably don't dare put Yeats on the timetable until she is delivered to ICG's satisfaction after the fiasco earlier this year.
Quote from: IFPete on November 27, 2018, 07:31:25 PM
My money is on Brittany Ferries Normandie or Etretat assuming Honfleur does not suffer a similar fait to WB Yeats. A lease between April and October 2019 would cover Dublin Holyhead or Rosslare Pembroke sailings while WB Yeats operates to France.
The arrival of Honfleur will likely see Baie de Seine going back to DFDS. Why would Brittany Ferries leave themselves a ship short over summer by loaning it to ICG? The Brittany Ferries timetable is already out for next year, with Normandie operating to Caen until Honfleur's arrival in mid-July when she replaces Etretat at Le Havre. So even IF Brittany Ferries had a vessel available it wouldn't be until mid-July at the earliest which would be pretty useless for the hypothetical situation you describe
In any case, it took me a whole 5 minutes to find out the following.
Quote"The charter-in of the Ropax vessel MV Epsilon will expire in November 2018. The company has two further one year options on the vessel."
https://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/icg2/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=500&newsid=986466
Its likely that ICG have extended the charter by a year given that it is December next week and she's still on the schedule!!!!
Quote from: Steven on November 27, 2018, 10:32:57 PM
W. B. YEATS doesn't appear on the schedule either, does that mean they've sold her? ::). Theres no vessel on the France schedule at all yet, does that mean they've sold Oscar as well? ::)
The logical explanation could be that Epsilon is on the France schedule. Which hasn't been released yet! W.B. Yeats would likely be more suited to Holyhead earlier in the year anyway, when tourist numbers are low on the France route and when she's most likely to have teething issues (not to mention that this was the plan all along!). They probably don't dare put Yeats on the timetable until she is delivered to ICG's satisfaction after the fiasco earlier this year.
Quote from: IFPete on November 27, 2018, 07:31:25 PM
My money is on Brittany Ferries Normandie or Etretat assuming Honfleur does not suffer a similar fait to WB Yeats. A lease between April and October 2019 would cover Dublin Holyhead or Rosslare Pembroke sailings while WB Yeats operates to France.
The arrival of Honfleur will likely see Baie de Seine going back to DFDS. Why would Brittany Ferries leave themselves a ship short over summer by loaning it to ICG? The Brittany Ferries timetable is already out for next year, with Normandie operating to Caen until Honfleur's arrival in mid-July when she replaces Etretat at Le Havre. So even IF Brittany Ferries had a vessel available it wouldn't be until mid-July at the earliest which would be pretty useless for the hypothetical situation you describe
In any case, it took me a whole 5 minutes to find out the following.
Quote"The charter-in of the Ropax vessel MV Epsilon will expire in November 2018. The company has two further one year options on the vessel."
https://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/icg2/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=500&newsid=986466
Its likely that ICG have extended the charter by a year given that it is December next week and she's still on the schedule!!!!
Nobody mentioned selling anything
Some Mad Statements on this
I was under the impression that Honfluer was due delivery in April 2019???.
There have been a lot of runours circulating about Epsilons return to Italy which would not be a bad thing if a decent replacement
can be found.
We should find out tomorrow the Schedule for 2019,
WB Yeats will be another week at FSG to complete adjustments as a result of findings during sea trials.
From today's November Trading Update
Quote
The W.B. Yeats, currently under construction by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co. KG ("FSG") completed its sea-trials in early November and is undergoing final delivery adjustments.
FSG have advised ICG that the W.B. Yeats will be ready for delivery during early December. ICG would like to apologise once again for any disruption caused to our tourism and freight customers due to the delay in FSG delivering the ship, a delay that was an extraordinary event totally outside the control of ICG. FSG are contracted to deliver a second new vessel during 2020.
SOURCE: https://www.icg.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Trading-Update-Nov-2018-web-version.pdf
no word on the alleged sabotage (incidentally not the only incident in the recent past at various shipyards), but at least December delivery is confirmed by official sources.
Will WBY be going anywhere tomorrow?
No not until next week. She has to receive bunkers and the Flensburg Port Authority do not have a departure date for her.
Will it be here for Christmas Daddy , will it will it ,please please .
Quote from: Chef on December 07, 2018, 12:23:38 PM
Will it be here for Christmas Daddy , will it will it ,please please .
In light of IF's fondness for Irish literary names for their ships perhaps WB Yeats should be renamed 'Waiting for Godot' .
March was mentioned on one of the Facebook sites last night, seems like something has gone wrong during sea trials as the lack of a timetable at this stage for all French routes means they are not sure of having it in the New Year.
Worst case scenario would they not schedule Oscar Wilde crossings from Rosslare and sell those tickets anyway, then when WB arrives start selling them tickets.
Quote from: giftgrub on December 07, 2018, 08:20:18 PM
March was mentioned on one of the Facebook sites last night, seems like something has gone wrong during sea trials as the lack of a timetable at this stage for all French routes means they are not sure of having it in the New Year.
Worst case scenario would they not schedule Oscar Wilde crossings from Rosslare and sell those tickets anyway, then when WB arrives start selling them tickets.
March is when she is expected to start on the France route, which was always the case for 2019, so I assume someone has got their wires crossed somewhere along the line. - she was never supposed to be sailing to France in January or February Hardly surprising given all the rumours, speculation, and people stating facts which are far from it going about. Someone on another Facebook group has posted she will be operational on the Holyhead route from the 27th, which I personally find doubtful. After all, she's to get to Ireland first then undergo crew training/familiarisation, berthing trials, any regulatory inspections needed, etc. Less than 3 weeks to do all that with the Christmas holidays also interfering sounds like a big ask to me!
I had heard they are still finishing off the interior spaces. Whether that's true or not I haven't a clue! Also worth remembering that just because a vessel has had sea trials it doesn't mean the vessel is complete, or problem free either. FSG themselves have admitted to having technical "challenges" in the design and construction of her after all - they freely admit that she is a big step up for them (which no doubt is how ICG got such an attractive price).
W B Yeats gantry crane in operation today taking on supply containers . Either putting it trough it's paces or taking on supplies for the trip home .
For anyone who hasn't being following it, the folks at the german ship enthusiast forum believe that WB Yeats is to leave Flensburg on Sunday morning, first to go to a dry dock for the hull to be dolled up a bit (pretty much 1:1 translation of the text in German!) and then to Liverpool for final fitting out work.
Wheres its going.... we need to pay attention to the AIS info at the weekend to find that out !
The source seems to be reliable as they predicted the ship adjacent to WB Yeats would be moving from its position this morning, and indeed that's exactly what happened.
http://31.209.185.102/view/viewer_index.shtml?id=450333
I watched the RO/RO being moved this morning across and down the harbour . A heavy lift crane ( Gulliver ) arrived this morning , and the first superstructure section for the Barfleur is arriving on Friday . Barfleur's hull is expected to be launched on Friday . I expect they will start lifting the superstructure into place right away . Lets hope they got their measurements correct this time .
The new BF ship is HONFLEUR
AIS showing tugs Holtenau and Stein around the WB Yeats. Possibly will be those two tugs that will assist her on Sunday
She's moving now
Being moved to the other side of the outfitting pier I'd say. I wouldn't be surprised if she'll be gone by Saturday
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 11:40:11 AM
The new BF ship is HONFLEUR
Sorry about that , what was i thinking .
Quote from: munchkin on December 12, 2018, 10:27:04 AM
For anyone who hasn't being following it, the folks at the german ship enthusiast forum believe that WB Yeats is to leave Flensburg on Sunday morning, first to go to a dry dock for the hull to be dolled up a bit (pretty much 1:1 translation of the text in German!) and then to Liverpool for final fitting out work.
Wheres its going.... we need to pay attention to the AIS info at the weekend to find that out !
The source seems to be reliable as they predicted the ship adjacent to WB Yeats would be moving from its position this morning, and indeed that's exactly what happened.
http://31.209.185.102/view/viewer_index.shtml?id=450333
Addicted to that camera stream now! ;D
Most likely will be heading to Fayard in Odense to have her hull inspected and the lower part of her hull touched up before her delivery voyage from Odense.
WB has been handed over to IF tonight according to sources
https://www.niferry.co.uk/cruise-ferry-w-b-yeats-delivered-to-irish-continental-group-plc/
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/wb-yeats-set-to-dock-in-dublin-following-cancellations-1.3729259?mode=amp
Bookings open for Dublin Cherbourg for WB. Even social media team have stayed on late to answer queries which for IF is highly unusual.
From reading the comments the fares aren't cheap
It seems ALF POLLAK's sub-charter to Tirrenia has been cancelled. She will now be sub-chartered to CLDN.
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 08:32:20 PM
It seems ALF POLLAK's sub-charter to Tirrenia has been cancelled. She will now be sub-chartered to CLDN.
Where did that come from?
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 04:32:22 PM
Most likely will be heading to Fayard in Odense to have her hull inspected and the lower part of her hull touched up before her delivery voyage from Odense.
Do you actually know anything about ferry operations? Are you the same Niall that has been posting on Facebook that the ship has been coming every week for the last few months? You said she was going to Odense for scrubbers when she had scrubbers fitted at build. A few weeks ago you posted she was sailing because she received a tanker of fuel. Now posting that she is going to drydock to have the bottom touched up. Why would they need to touch up the paint when under water paint lasts for years? Why would there be any mention of a drydock when Irish Ferries are saying she will be in Dublin next week. If you keep posting your thoughts, I would really like you to back them up with sources and facts.
Only reporting what I have heard from others
Quote from: jgf on December 12, 2018, 08:30:52 PM
Bookings open for Dublin Cherbourg for WB. Even social media team have stayed on late to answer queries which for IF is highly unusual.
From reading the comments the fares aren't cheap
Agreed, from an unsophisticated price comparison, having booked the WB Yeats outside July/August last year, we're looking at a price increase of about 50% for a foot passenger in a basic room one way. This is both reflected in the fare and the room cost.
I know its complex, but thats the sort of increase that gets people to quickly check the Ryanair site
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 11:36:26 PM
Only reporting what I have heard from others
Don't post what you hear from others, post what you know as facts. I now laugh at what you post because I know 99.999999999% of it is wrong.
Quote from: Wilty on December 12, 2018, 11:43:55 PM
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 11:36:26 PM
Only reporting what I have heard from others
Don't post what you hear from others, post what you know as facts. I now laugh at what you post because I know 99.999999999% of it is wrong.
Mod note:It's nearly Christmas, can we all just be kind to each other?
@Wilty: if something posts something inaccurate, by all means challenge it, but only their post. No personal attacks.
That said, you have a point - spreading of rumors, especially when the delivery of the vessel was delayed already, does not help matters.
Only WBY sailings for Cherbourg released. OW sailings for Roscoff not yet released which is a pain! We usually go to Roscoff for the wine restock.
It is very disappointing to have only WB Yeats as and option for booking. Why the hold up for the rest?
I am now regretting waiting for Irish Ferries to come up with their schedule . I should have booked with Stena when I had the chance.
Will OS sail from Rosslare for France now and if so what days?
Cars have been driven onboard and are on the upper deck.
Departure today?
Blue container was also removed from upper deck by dock crane about an hour ago
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Flensburger-Werft-uebergibt-neue-Riesenfaehre,wbyeats102.html?fbclid=IwAR1QLGGiO22ulQSFuTnU8p2ZD8rN6ALirm7cKQvTi1-WKMqASUOl6o4ZGoE
Quote from: Jamie1608 on December 12, 2018, 10:44:56 PM
Quote from: Niall on December 12, 2018, 08:32:20 PM
It seems ALF POLLAK's sub-charter to Tirrenia has been cancelled. She will now be sub-chartered to CLDN.
Where did that come from?
http://www.shippax.com/en/news/alf-pollak-to-stay-in-the-north-sea.aspx?fbclid=IwAR25bXJd67lLxMWBIouys4R2FVDxQBalSUBFi-d4_UEHpIilei5uWIkqi80
WB Yeats will depart Flensburg on Sunday and is sailing direct to Dublin. I'm told by a steel worker in FSG.
Quote from: brainferry on December 14, 2018, 03:52:12 PM
WB Yeats will depart Flensburg on Sunday and is sailing direct to Dublin. I'm told by a steel worker in FSG.
I presume Yeats will call to Cherbourg on her delivery voyage next week. Has she received her bunkers yet for the journey? She will need quite a lot of fuel for a 5 or 6 day journey I would think.
5 / 6 days ? Would it really be that long ?
I would have thought going through the Kiel Canal would be about 3 days to Dublin Max ?
I doubt Irish Ferries will be wanting to pay to high toll fees for the Kiel Canal. More than likely she will go via the Skaggerak.
Even with sea trials complete it would be prudent not to take a ship of her size trough the Kiel Canal , high winds would play havoc with a high sided ship like the Yeats at this time of year not to mention in such a narrow waterway . Better to have plenty of sea room and have good shake down cruise trough the North Sea back to Dublin with all of your own crew running things . During sea trials the ship was operated by the builders and belonged to them until handed over, so this will be the first time IF get to operate her with their own crew .
We have booked a premium cabin with balcony for July.. a touch expensive . I might add.
I'll post pics etc
Ships of up to 40 m tall can pass through the Kiel Canal, though the wind factor could be a problem.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiel_Canal
There do appear to be very large container vessels and many large cruise ships using the canal on google ?
WBY appears to get getting ready to put to sea now ?
Doors closed and dock workers gathered on the quay?
Lots of activity on the bridge ...
Ropes cast off....
.... ands she's off !!!!
👍
According to Marine Traffic- WB Yeats is routed through the Kiel Canal
WB hasn't gone faster than 8 knots or so. You'd think IF would want to have her in Cherbourg ASAP. Seems a bit strange to me. She's also heading back towards Flensburg now at 2kn
According to a FSG yard employee WBY was not due to vector to Dublin / Cherbourg until tomorrow Sunday, so this could just be another trial? The wind in Denmark is blowing a gale from the south so possibly awaiting fairer conditions ?
Heading SE at 18 knots now
Thanks. Looks like she will be going the long way around after all. Maybe with the wind still very strong they don't want to risk going via the canal.
Quote from: Chef on December 14, 2018, 10:35:03 PM
Even with sea trials complete it would be prudent not to take a ship of her size trough the Kiel Canal , high winds would play havoc with a high sided ship like the Yeats at this time of year not to mention in such a narrow waterway . Better to have plenty of sea room and have good shake down cruise trough the North Sea back to Dublin with all of your own crew running things . During sea trials the ship was operated by the builders and belonged to them until handed over, so this will be the first time IF get to operate her with their own crew .
Looks like the Captain read my post .
Jury's still out !
She could still take the Kiel Canal.
Looks like an extra day sea trials then head for Cherbourg ?
If she arrives in Dublin on Friday afternoon or after, I will be there to take some photos
Quote from: brainferry on December 16, 2018, 08:28:16 AM
Jury's still out !
She could still take the Kiel Canal.
Looks like an extra day sea trials then head for Cherbourg ?
Considering her present position there would be nothing to gain by going via the Kiel Canal , and if there are a few kinks to iron out the last place to take her would be via the canal . I'm sure the canal operators would be a bit concerned .
Looks like she is bunkering at sea off the Danish coast , tanker close to her port side at the moment .
Quote from: Chef on December 16, 2018, 11:38:42 AM
Looks like she is bunkering at sea off the Danish coast , tanker close to her port side at the moment .
Yes. Does anyone know how long the bunkering process takes. Seems like she's been there for quite a while now.
She'll be in Dublin on the morning of the 20th if all goes to plan. Initially on 49 then moving to 18.
She is in Cherbourg now, arrived at 0920 Am this morning.
Has left Cherbourg at 17:20 on way to Rosslare for 12:00 tomorrow for first sighting in Irish shores
Post some pics etc if you can please .
Marine Traffic now shows WB Yeats destination as Holyhead ?
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:5614700/zoom:10
Quote from: brainferry on December 19, 2018, 04:45:34 PM
Marine Traffic now shows WB Yeats destination as Holyhead ?
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:5614700/zoom:10
Trials in Holyhead. That Pembroke was skipped perhaps suggests they don't have any current plans to use her as cover for Inishmore?