A delay in getting vessel equipment from Europe has held back the Bruny Island ferry launch

The new Bruny Island ferry won’t begin passenger trips for at least a month, with the operator revealing ongoing equipment delays had held back its December launch.

THE new Bruny Island ferry won’t begin passenger trips for at least a month, with the operator revealing ongoing equipment delays had held back its December launch.

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson in November said the first of SeaLink’s new Bruny Island ferry fleet would be ready to “hit the water” by December.

FRESH TROUBLES HIT NEW BRUNY ISLAND FERRY OPERATOR

The Mercury then reported its first passenger trip was expected to begin by Christmas Day following government confirmation.

Mr Ferguson on Monday said the issue regarding the launch time frame was a “question for the operator, SeaLink”.

“Any delay to this exciting new ferry is disappointing. What’s important is that an extra third ferry has been brought in to run over the peak season while we wait,” he said.

LONG QUEUE OF TRAFFIC WAITING FOR BRUNY ISLAND FERRIES

The terminal was sent into chaos a day after Boxing Day as hundreds of holiday-makers found themselves waiting in line – some up to three hours – as the ferry queue stretched up to 1.5km along the Channel Highway.

Peter McNally, who has a shack at the island, said he feared traffic carnage would again break out over the Australia Day long weekend later this month.

“I’ve been going there 20-odd years and never have I seen the traffic demand this bad,” he said.

SeaLink general manager Paul Victory said a delay in the supply of equipment had pushed back its launch date.

“Earlier in 2019, we experienced a delay of two weeks in the supply of the Schottel drive system from Europe which affected the proposed vessel practical completion date from immediately prior to Christmas into early to mid-January,” he said.

“We are now planning final survey, Schottel drive system commissioning and sea trials from January 20, which specialists from Europe will need to attend.

“Once this is complete, there will be on-board crew training, safety drills and performance management trials along with in-service-trials. We anticipate this training to commence immediately post vessel commissioning, and into the first two weeks of February.

“Once complete, the Nairana will go into full service.”

SPEND ON BRUNY ISLAND FERRY INFRASTRUCTURE QUERIED

Labor’s David O’Byrne said Bruny Island residents and visitors “shouldn’t have to pay for the State Government’s mismanagement”.

“The Government completely botched the tender for the new ferry service and continues to attract criticism from prominent Tasmanian business operators,” he said. “We have yet another summer season dogged by delays, long queues and traffic issues on the Channel Highway and now the delayed arrival of the much promised new smaller ferry.

It comes after record visitor numbers flocked to Bruny over the festive season which saw the ferry service carry more than 7180 vehicles to the island between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – up 2.5 per cent on the corresponding period for 2018-19.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said a pre-booking system was needed to help reduce terminal congestion.