Big fast cats ideal for strait run
BUILDING THE FERRIES
INTERESTING viewpoint by Saul Eslake ( Mercury, November 22), however, I’m mystified why he appears to ignore the potential of Tasmanian- built catamarans to replace our ageing ferries. A faster service provided by our latest, larger and improved catamaran designs, which have already been tried and proved in other parts of the world, and which would need little internal design modification if we were to ignore the present pretence that one is travelling on a cruise ship complete with sleeping cabins and attendant plumbing and electrical services.
A six- hour trip undertaken in broad daylight, without the need for more than a cafeteria to feed the hungry would be all that is needed. Dare I suggest that such ships might be very much cheaper to build and operate?
Jim Bode Bellerive
WORLD CLASS
DOES Saul Eslake ever think outside of the box? Does he realise the Wright brothers’ first flight with one person on board in 1903 with a distance flow of 37m, just 5m more than the width of Incat’s new proposed vessel? Today it is not uncommon for aircraft to carry between 400 and 500 passengers at near the speed of sound.
The new proposed vessel will be 32m wide, 130m long, 13,000 gross ton, carry 2100 passengers, 220 cars and a speed of 40 knots ( 75 km/ h) and an abounding amount of room for freight. If our own shipbuilding company Incat were to be awarded a contract to build two ships of the proposed size or larger than the one above, I could not see the need for night time crossings, and what a saving that would be. It would require thousands of tradies and personnel to complete the projects.
Mr Eslake, look to the future and to Robert Clifford’s technology to build the ships. Mr Clifford’s ships are world class and a credit to Tasmania George Newell
Oakdowns
IN OUR BACK YARD
WHY cannot we build ships as big as the Spirit of Tasmania right here at home in our own backyard. Acquiring tenders from other countries to build ships for us seems ludicrous. We have the best of the best entrepreneurs, engineers and ship planners and builders in the world.
No ship — regardless of its design or — should be too big to be build here at home. We know for a fact that these overseas ship deals cost us lots of jobs and money. The icing on the cake is going overseas to these foreign ship manufacturers and boat building bodies. Big ship, small boat, small ship, big boat? What’s the difference? Really it’s only a multiplication concept.
If you want a ship three times bigger than the one you have, you just calibrate and multiply it by three and Bob’s your uncle it’s here.
We must learn to build our own bigger ships of the same dimensions as our Spirits here at home.
Prolific shipbuilder and entrepreneur Bob Clifford would do a fantastic job in resurrecting bigger ships for our Bass Strait run.
This shipbuilding can be done in Germany, Sweden or Finland, but I believe it’s in our best interest and blood to build our own ships right here in Tasmania.
This bigger shipbuilding enhancement would be much more rewarding and something about which we can all feel proud.
Wayne McDonald Taroona
NOTES FOR A SOLUTION
TASMANIANS must think of what we need for 25 years forward with a new roll- on, roll- off cargo and passenger ship. Key elements need to be allweather speed with maximum load capacity, eight to 10 hours crossing from Geelong to either Devonport/ Burnie this means huge engine thrusting power yet with comfort. Double decker one- way load unload with four- hour unload/ load and new crew turn arounds, basic accommodation chairs with TV and self- serve meals ordered at departure. Add to this good communication all the way and free Tasmanian water, no pokies or gambling, kids game rooms based on age, nursing rooms, helicopter pad. The modern line recently launched in Europe seems to do most of this out of Holland. Prior to our current ships being sold again have a three- year test of the cargo and passenger/ cars market into Wollongong, NSW, and South Australia two trips a week to each place.
The other Spirit ship continues while this new ship proves it up, then in discussions with other states, look to convert to an Australasia/ Pacific Mercy Services Ship with invited mixed multinational rotating crews from each navy and Doctors Without Borders through the Red Cross or United Nations for dentists, nurses, and other specialist needs that can sail into urgent sites with vehicles, rapid tenting, helicopters or for service in remote areas, with of course appropriate counties agreement.
The test will be can the aluminium structure take the metal fatigue and pressure for 25 years. The Welshpool to Bell Bay was a nightmare with a fulltime on- board welder. Government to hold a warranty fee or drip purchase over at least 10 to 15 years or builder insurance.
Mike Grey West Tamar