King Edward Pier works

Summary

The request questioned the Department of Infrastructure's timeline and awareness regarding necessary pier works to accommodate the new Manxman vessel, citing a 2016 proposal. The Department disclosed that specific engineering data on vessel loading was only received in December 2020, triggering the re-scoping of the project, but withheld cost estimates due to an ongoing procurement process.

Key Facts

• The Department was aware the new vessel (Manxman) would be larger than the Ben-My-Chree but lacked specific loading data until 2020.
• A vessel mooring study detailing increased loading on the King Edward VIII Pier was received on 14 December 2020.
• Royal HaskoningDHV was appointed in July 2021 to develop an Options Study for the new berth and pier repairs.
• Cost estimates for the proposed works cannot be provided because a competitive procurement process has commenced.
• The project scope was re-focused to upgrade the pier for the new vessel and carry out general repairs.

Data Disclosed

• 140-metres
• 800 passengers
• May 2016
• 14th December 2020
• July 2021
• 2660973
• 2022-09-26
• 2022-10-18

Exemptions Cited

• Ongoing competitive procurement process

Original Request

I refer to this Manx Radio News item - https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/harbour-work-needed-to-protect-manxman-from-bad-weather/ According to this Report on Wikipedia - "In May 2016, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company outlined plans to replace the Ben-my-Chree as part of their proposed Strategic Sea Services offer to the Isle of Man Government.[19] Under the proposal, the 1998-built Ben-my-Chree would be "replaced by 2019-2021" with a new build vessel that would be 140-metres long and have a capacity of 800 passengers. The Ben-my-Chree would then be retained as a third vessel to offer cover to the fleet." the Department hasbeen aware for over six and a quarter years what the length of the new vessel will be. Did the Department not realise at the time that the works now planned to accommodate mooring of the new vessel would have to be undertaken and if so, why has it taken over six years to submit plans for the necessary work? If the Department didn't realise this in May 2016, when did it first become aware that the works now planned would be necessary and who advised the Department about this and when? What are the estimated costs of all of the proposed works including the "other work" mentioned in the planning application?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 2660973 18 October 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 26 September 2022 and which states:

"I refer to this Manx Radio News item - https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/harbour-work-needed-to-protect- manxman-from-bad-weather/ According to this Report on Wikipedia - "In May 2016, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company outlined plans to replace the Ben-my-Chree as part of their proposed Strategic Sea Services offer to the Isle of Man Government.[19] Under the proposal, the 1998-built Ben-my-Chree would be "replaced by 2019-2021" with a new build vessel that would be 140-metres long and have a capacity of 800 passengers. The Ben-my-Chree would then be retained as a third vessel to offer cover to the fleet." the Department hasbeen aware for over six and a quarter years what the length of the new vessel will be. Did the Department not realise at the time that the works now planned to accommodate mooring of the new vessel would have to be undertaken and if so, why has it taken over six years to submit plans for the necessary work? If the Department didn't realise this in May 2016, when did it first become aware that the works now planned would be necessary and who advised the Department about this and when? What are the estimated costs of all of the proposed works including the "other work" mentioned in the planning application?"

Our response to your request is as follows:

Did the Department not realise at the time that the works now planned to accommodate mooring of the new vessel would have to be undertaken and if so, why has it taken over six years to submit plans for the necessary work? Although the Department was aware that the new vessel (Manxman) would be larger than the Ben-My-Chree, the important information required before any work was to commence was what additional loading (due to the vessel’s increased windage area) would the Manxman place on the King Edward VIII Pier. If the Department didn't realise this in May 2016, when did it first become aware that the works now planned would be necessary and who advised the Department about this and when? On 14th December 2020, the Department received a vessel mooring study which had been prepared for the IOMSPCo for the Manxman and for the Piers it would use. This study details the increased loading that the Manxman will place on the harbour infrastructure. Using this information the Department decided to re-scope the general upgrade capital project for the Pier to focus on upgrading the pier to accommodate the new vessel and also to carry out some general repairs on the pier. In July 2021 the Department appointed Royal HaskoningDHV as Consultants to develop an Options Study to find the right engineering solutions to form a new berth and to repair the existing Pier wall. What are the estimated costs of all of the proposed works including the "other work" mentioned in the planning application? The Department has commenced a competitive procurement process for these works. Therefore we are unable to provide cost estimates at this time.

Please quote the reference number 2660973 in any future communications.

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FOI Response Team