The new Arran ferry has passed another milestone in its progress towards completion.
The MV Glen Sannox had its bulbous bow replaced following the ferry’s move to dry dock in Greenock last week.
The old bulbous bow - a protruding bulb at the front of a ship which modifies the way water flows around the hull – was removed by engineers after it failed to meet regulations.
In 2017, before the official launch of the vessel, the bulbous bow was rejected by maritime classification society Lloyds Register. During inspection, the surveyor deemed the manufacturing process failed to meet International Association of Classification Society (IACS) construction standards.
Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd hailed the replacement of the bulbous bow as a crucial part of MV Glen Sannox’s current programme of remediation work which also includes the installation of deck windows, paint and coating repair, hull cleaning, pipework modification and more.
The major repairs at Dales Marine yard in Greenock are set to cost £400,000.
According to the details of the contract signed with Dales, the facilities are needed to perform 'essential below waterline work' described as 'critical' to the MV Glen Sannox build.
Dales Marine was highlighted as the only local dry docking facility that can offer a full service provision and the work was not put out to tender.
Identified during the review of the condition of the two dual fuel vessels that was conducted after the shipyard went into administration in August 2019, the work is being led by turnaround director, Tim Hair.
Mr Hair said: “The removal of the mis-manufactured bulbous bow marks another major landmark in our recovery programme for the dual fuel vessels.
“The journey to getting them to completion has not been without its frustrations, but this latest milestone is another indicator that the project is getting back on track.
“Like all businesses globally, we were impacted by further delays this year due to Covid-19. Now, with over 50 per cent of our workforce back at the yard, operating in line with government guidance and work on both ferries scheduled to ramp up this Autumn, I am confident in the progress we are making and optimistic for the future of the shipyard.”
MV Glen Sannox is scheduled to return to the Ferguson shipyard at the end of August.
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