SPS Hosts Meeting to Discuss Introduction of New Wightlink Ferries at Lymington

Published on Wednesday 23 April 2008

Solent Protection Society Hosts Meeting to discuss Phase 1 of Risk Assesment on New Ferries for the Lymington to Yarmouth route

Following the announcement last December by the Solent Protection Society that it has registered its objection to the introduction of the proposed larger ferries on the Lymington to Yarmouth route, the Society organized a Briefing Meeting of principal parties to further consider the situation.

The Briefing Meeting, held in Lymington on 22nd April 2008, was attended by over 60 invitees and chaired by Mr Peter Nicholson, President of the Society. Introducing the meeting he said “We have been regularly consulting with the various parties concerned and felt that a meeting of all the key players to discuss the BMT SeaTech Ferry Operations Risk Assessment, Phase 1, and associated issues would be appropriate”.

Presentations were heard from Mr Peter Griffiths, Chairman of Lymington Harbour Commissioners; Dr Ian Dand of BMT SeaTech; Mr Andrew Willson, Chief Executive of Wightlink; Mr Geoff Holmes, Commodore of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club; Mr Robin Dent, on behalf of Lymington Town Sailing Club; Mr Geoff Bowles, Head of Marine Development Control at the Marine & Fisheries Agency and representatives of the Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners.

In summing up the discussions at the end of the meeting Mrs Sheelagh Evans, the Chairman of the Council, said “It is clear that Phase II of the Risk Assessment will be critical in clarifying the potential environmental and safety impacts of the new ferries and the Society will continue to be proactive in the process”.

Synopses of the Speakers’ presentations can be found on the Solent Protection Society website: Speakers Presentations