[Peetwo]

Emerald Class Gen II suffers another steering failure??

Via Facebook:

Ben Blake

Emerald Class information!

I have been told by a reliable source that Gen 2 Emerald ”Fairlight” suffered problems with her steering this morning. I do not have the specifics  on the steering issues but she’s been out of service berthed at wharf 2 since around 8 this morning.

Balmoral entered service later in the day and continued to to the Manly run up until around 11:30am where she stopped at wharf 4 and went out of service for a little while. As of writing this she is currently on the F7 Double Bay run. I do not know why this is or if it has any relation to Fairlight’s problems.

Clontarf has been in Balmain since around the time Fairlight reentered service. I believe this is just scheduled maintenance like the work that was performed on Fairlight earlier in the month.

As of writing this 3 Gen 1 Emeralds are filling in for the Gen 2s and MV Collaroy is running every hour. (Im on her as I write this) Freshwater is still sitting idle at Balmain but this is probably due to the fact that there wouldn’t be enough time to create a new timetable to include Freshwater.

So yeah thats all the info I have I wonder if more details will come out about the problems on Fairlight. I trust Chris Cowper will be on it if he finds out any information. We’ll just have to wait and see.

(Ok literally as I posted this Chris Cowper posted some more info! Check out his post! https://www.facebook.com/groups/savemanl...tid=S66gvF)
(Also I’m not 100% sure everything I’ve said is correct. This is just what I have heard so far. I’ll update if any new information comes out.)

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Chris Cowper

STOP PRESS. STOP PRESS. STOP PRESS. Again.
"FAIRLIGHT" has another STEERING FAILURE.

Whilst crossing the open water of Sydney Heads on the 0840 ex Manly trip this morning, French owned Transdev's Chinese built Gen II Emerald, "Fairlight", had another STEERING FAILURE.

Steering at all three stations was lost!

Her Master didn't  have any back up steering.

"Fairlight" was doing about 22 knots. (44.74 kph)

He stopped  his vessel.

Eventually, her highly experienced Master and Engineer were able to get steering again and after testing the system, continue to Circuar Quay without further incident.

What would have happened if a fisherman or some kids in a tinnie, had cut in front of the ferry (as happens frequently) and her Master had to alter his course urgently?

There could have been  multiple fatalities.

How about if the Master had to make a small alteration to his course when berthing?

There could have been multiple injuries to passengers & crew and damage to poor, not so old, "Fairlight".

Interestingly, on Monday "Fairlight" was trialled with AMSA Staff on board.

AMSA, and Transdev, declared "Fairlight" to be safe to operate  and able to re-enter service.

It seems Transdev, who call themselves "proud operator of Sydney Ferries" and Birdons, the company  contracted to supply the Gen II Emeralds,  are incompetent, or incapable of rectifying these potentially fatal steering problems.

I think the time has come for the Chinese made steering systems to be ripped out and to be completely replaced with Australian designed and made, fit for purpose, steering systems.

My former workmates particularly the Ferry Masters, who crew Gen II Emeralds,  should not have the stress of turning up for work not knowing if they will have a steering failure and be involved in a collision or grounding on their shift.

Transdev can ring me and I'll give them the phone number a someone who could start the job on Monday.
"Fairlight" is tied up at Circular Quay. "Clontarf" is at BSY for 2 weeks for warranty work.

"Balmoral" has been put on the Watson's Bay run, while Aussie built Inner Harbour Gen I Emeralds are assisting  "Collaroy" on the Manly run.

How can a Gen II Emerald  not be safe to run to Manly, but safe enough to run to Watson's Bay?

Particularly, now the channel south of Fort Denison is closed to Commercial Vessels until 15th December, forcing both  north and south bound traffic into the same area.

Perhaps RMS should station a BSO in this area 24/7 until December 15.

Why haven't  Transdev or AMSA pulled all 3 Gen II Emeralds from service.

Will Ferry Masters have to stick their necks out and once again do AMSA's work?

MTF...P2