Big questions to ask over the ferry contract

Sir, – The more I read about the problems associated with the Ferguson Marine Glen Sannox Ferry contract, and especially as the SNP Government is now providing much of the finance to keep the yard going, I am now very concerned whether it is indeed money well spent in saving this venture.

With this in mind the government opposition parties should be asking direct questions to the SNP Government at Holyrood on the following issues now coming to light:

How rigorous was the contract award process carried out, as the most expensive of six competing bids somehow won this contract?

Who was responsible for managing the precontract award due diligence exercise, and where is the paperwork showing this was carried out in a competent fashion?

How was design approval carried out, especially now we find the bulbous bow is to be cut off and replaced because it does not meet specification requirements?

How was the design change process managed, as this aspect is said to have caused massive cost overruns and inevitable long delays to final completion?

Who was responsible for designing a ferry that’s now known to be too large for existing quayside infrastructures?

Deformation of the hull plates can plainly be seen on the Glen Sannox.

This proves no consideration was given to distortion control during welding operations and the certifying authorities may now be concerned due to built-in residual stresses on the hull plates and frames throughout this build.

Was any consideration given to this when handing over our government moneys?

Whose idea was it to engineer and install dual fuelled propulsion units, as any gas required has to be shipped up from the south of England?

How much time did our finance secretary devote to going over Ferguson’s books and were any quality assurance audits conducted on all yard design and construction practices before he decided to award the tens of millions needed to complete (or scrap?) these ferries?

Mike Miller. 25 Craigievar Ave, Carron, Falkirk.