Ferry Interesting but Stupid, a midweek ramble

Having read The Lawyers Tale in The Gazette, see http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Council-missed-Half-hour-window-impound/story-20494019-detail/story.html#axzz2rkF3MudT and noticing that our very own ECR seemed to be going along with it http://eastcliffrichard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/spectacular-end-for-ostend-spirit.html I have to admit to having some reservations.

No one seems to have asked the obvious question. Which senior officers did the harbour master phone after Harvey failed to pick up. Which raises the question. Which senior officer or officers gave the OK for the ferry to sail. Which raises the further question. Why would thy do that? What would be the incentives for handing out our money in this way?

With the chief executive and the editor of The Gazette I am reminded of something from Alice in Wonderland here about the red queen and the black queen, did they have tea together before or after the Queen of Hearts started saying “off with his head”?

I wonder if when choosing a fall guy a lawyer is the best choice? Could this be expensive? 

Anyway this morning I phoned the council’s press department and put my thoughts to them. And yes they did say they had other enquiries along these lines. And yes I put my take on the situation to them and although they didn’t say much in reply, there wasn’t any of the usual “Michael you have got it completely wrongs” associated with my having got something completely wrong. 

So the answer from the council’s press office was that they would send me a written statement about this by email by 1pm. I will add it to this post when/if it arrives.

No statement from the council but this instead:

-----Original Message-----
From:**** ***** <*****@THANET.GOV.UK>
To: MichaelChild
Sent: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:07
Subject: Transeuropa statement

Hi Michael,

Apologies for not coming back to you until now. I’ll send you a copy of the minutes taken at the meeting once they are available which will probably be the most helpful way to address this.

Thanks

**** ****

Trains, planes, boats and aeroplanes, the Thanet transport issues.

 Somewhere around 200 years ago, local history books differ on he exact date, the first paddle steamer arrived in Margate, this predated the railways and provided the first comfortable, economic and reliable means of transport for Londoners to the coast.

In terms of ordinary people this was the beginning of the holiday and modern travel i.e travel that was faster than a horse or subject to the whim of wind direction.

Recently with the coming of the new fast train service and the completion of the Ramsgate end of the duel carriageway to London, the local transport situation has changed.

 Essentially though, apart from some fairly short lived efforts travel beyond Thanet has been a bit sporadic, centred around Manston Airport and Ramsgate Harbour. Looking back over my association with Ramsgate that extends over about the last 45 years, I would say it has been the hovercraft and the Sally line that appeared to have the most positive economic impact on the area.

It is looking increasingly likely that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, will be starting a service from Manston, as you see from this news article they are holding a dinner in Canterbury http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/could_klm_dinner_in_canterbury_reveal_decision_on_manston_1_1667532 I guess that Canterbury is the economic hub of this part of Kent.

 Apparently 9,066 people have filled out their online form, saying they want their air service from Manston. To me this seems like a very large number of people to fill out an online form.

On the ferry front Transeuropa Ferries who run the ferry service out of Ramsgate have put the following notification on their website:

Due to temporary changes in our fleet we apologise that we are unable to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.  Customers with walking difficulties should be aware that there are approximately 25 stairs to the passenger facilities. Please note that on the Gardenia there are no separated areas for freight drivers and passengers. Due to the lack of a children’s play area, this ship is not really suitable for young children.
If we experience operational difficulties the schedule may be changed.

 Added to this information Larkspur their main ferry doesn’t seem to have crossed to Belgium recently, producing concerns that there may be problems with what is an increasingly aging fleet.

Obviously the real benefits to Thanet, is having passengers arrive here, passengers and freight that passes straight through only really benefits the people working within the transport industry and indirectly Thanet if they happen to live here. 

 I will try to add to this one.