CMAL likely to scrap Craignure Passenger Access System in bid to limit corporate liability

At last week’s ferry committee meeting we spoke with CMAL’s Director of Port Infrastructure and Planning Ramsay Muirhead, regarding the current breakdown of Craignure’s Passenger Access System (PAS). He outlined the problem and the issues as CMAL see it –

• The part of the PAS that is broken is the winch which raises and lowers the final small gangway that links the PAS proper to the vessel. It is a relatively minor and simple part of the system. The rest of the PAS is in working order.
• A repair (or replacement) of the winch is entirely feasible and relatively easy from an engineering perspective. However…
• The PAS is made up of three different sections, each hand-me-downs from other systems. It was installed in 2011 as a ‘temporary’ solution to the expiry of the previous PAS.
• CMAL believe that the repair to the winch is of such significance that regulations would require them to upgrade the entire PAS to modern safety standards. The cost and complexity of upgrading the entire PAS is prohibitive, almost certainly meaning the renewal of the entire thing.
• If the entire PAS was from a single manufacturer it would be fine to repair the winch, since it would be returning to its original ‘as built’ condition. However because the PAS is comprised of different sections from different suppliers, they say this is not possible.
• Whilst a repair would make the PAS safe and serviceable, CMAL’s concern is that if a passenger or staff member has an accident, any subsequent injury claim against them could be much more substantial if they are found to have contravened regulations. CMAL believe that repairing the winch without also bringing the entire PAS up to current standards would be such a contravention.
• CMALs likely solution (pending final decision) is that the PAS will be scrapped. In its place will be a traditional gangway, something like the example below.

If this gangway is the chosen solution, it will remain until Craignure pier is entirely replaced, perhaps in 4 or 5 year’s time. Earlier this year Argyll and Bute Council considered installing a new PAS that could subsequently be transferred to the new pier. They decided not to go ahead with that.

It is not difficult to list the issues that come with a gangway –

• It will take longer to load and unload passengers, and more time to hoist the gangway. That may not be a concern most of the time (particularly given CalMacs longer turnarounds thee days), but on busy summer days it could lead to delays and broken public transport connections (particularly the train in Oban)
• It will be difficult (or impossible) for people with buggiies, luggage or small children. Wheelchair users, the elderly or anyone with mobility difficulties will have to transit via the car deck.
• Depending on the capacity of the ship’s davits, there may be a limit on the length (and thus weight) of gangway that can be used. This may mean that a gangway is unusable in high tides, or may be very steep.
• It is entirely open to the elements
• Its fair to note one possible advantage – it might be useable by the Loch Frisa (the PAS is not).
• Most critically however, over-all it will be less safe than the current passenger access system.

So it seems that the interpretation of safety regulations and the apparent fear of corporate liability will actually result in a less convenient, LESS SAFE arrangement for passengers and staff.

We have written to CMAL and told them that this perverse outcome is not acceptable. Not enough effort has been put into finding a solution that enables the PAS to remain in operation. At the very least, their interpretation of the regulations should be checked – ideally by the HSE themselves. We question whether they are correct that replacement of one simple winch should trigger the update of the entire PAS. Given the impact on passengers, they should at least try to get guidance from the HSE before scrapping the entire system. At our meeting last week we were told in terms that was ‘not worthwhile’.

If you want to contact CMAL direct regarding this, you will find all the details on the contact us page of their website. A decision is likely to be taken in the next few weeks.

We would welcome contact from anyone with good knowledge and experience of the safety regulations concerned.