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New
Lymington Ferries
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LTSC has reviewed the report, but remains very concerned about the probable impact on small boats. Specifically: 1. The report does not adequately address the concerns of small boat users, such as the young and the inexperienced sailors, canoeists and rowers who have traditionally used the river for leisure. 2. We are concerned that some small boat users may be leaving the river due to their perceived fears and concerns about the impact of larger ferries. This will have a detrimental effect on the clubs and organisations, as well as Lymington in general. 3. The report discusses the practice of ferries passing in the river, but does not adequately address the risks to all river users, ferries included. The suggestion that "waiting in the river" should be an exception does not reflect our experience. It is evident that this practice can lead to irregular ferry speeds that make predictions of the ferry position by other river users very difficult. This risk is significantly increased at low water when many vessels, including sailing dinghies, are restricted by draft. 4. LTSC remains opposed to allowing ferries to pass in the River. LTSC is committed to working with LHC in its efforts to establish safe operating procedures for the larger ferries. However, we cannot accept that our longstanding boating activities on the river should be changed or threatened by the introduction of larger vessels. Richard
Jenner |
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The first phase assessment carried out for the Lymington Harbour Commissioners by BMT has now been published. A working group consisting of Nigel Walbank, Keith Wicks and Robin Dent have reviewed the document on behalf of the Club and submitted comments to LHC. A meeting was held at the RLymYC attended by representatives of all interested parties where both LHC and BMT listened to the comments and concerns of LTSC and other parties. The Executive have agreed that a picture display giving an impression of the new boats in the river can be shown in the Lower Deck bar. These pictures have been prepared by Robin Dent on the basis of the data he has acquired, the club can take no responsibility for the accuracy but interested members are encouraged to speak directly with Robin.
In April The Solent Protection Society is holding a meeting at Elmers
Court to which Adam and I have been invited. This meeting with
representatives from over 25 different bodies and organisation both IOW
and Lymington will also be attended by local MPs and Councillors. The
objective as stated is to Brief and take questions |
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LTSC Position Statement on the New Ferries Lymington Town Sailing Club is concerned at the introduction of larger commercial vessels into the river, such as Wightlink’s new ‘R’ Class ferries, as these larger vessels could have an adverse effect upon leisure river-users, particularly upon small sailing dinghies, rowing boats and canoes.The Club welcomes the risk assessment on the new vessels that is to be arranged by the Lymington Harbour Commissioners (LHC) and will continue to work with and support them. We trust that they will take effective action to ensure that leisure river-users are not adversely affected. LTSC feel strongly that, in addition to the measures to restrict the speed of the new ferries, it is imperative that these larger vessels pass one another in the open waters of the Western Solent, not in the river. In the event that the LHC should seek to introduce measures restricting the LTSC's activities in the river the Club will resist these, as it believes that any restrictions on navigation should be borne by those seeking to introduce larger vessels.If, in the final analysis, such restrictions on the larger vessels are inadequate to ensure the safety of all river-users, LTSC consider this would be sufficient justification to challenge the entry of larger ferries into the river.
Peter Upcher |
| Last updated 21 April 2008 |
| www.ltsc.co.uk |