Ramsgate's new ferry service delayed
THE eagerly anticipated high speed ferry service from Ramsgate to Boulogne will not launch this Saturday.
Euroferries boss Per Staehr said the service will not start on Saturday November 14, the proposed launch date for the Fred Olson-owned Bonanza Express catamaran earmarked for the route.
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The service from Ramsgate to Boulogne has be delayed
Mr Staehr said: “The service will not start on Saturday” but would not give a reason why.
Mr Staehr maintained the new service will go ahead despite the set back.
In a later statement, a company spokesman confirmed: "Euroferries has regrettably had to delay its high speed cross channel service launch scheduled for the 14th November due to hampered final stage operations.
"Euroferries apologises for any inconvenience caused to its customers and assures them that it is their foremost intention to resolve this matter swiftly allowing the service to commence.
"All Euroferries bookings affected by this matter have the option of either receiving a full refund or alternatively receiving complimentary first class upgrades for an alternative date of travel."
Passengers who are booked on this weekend's ferries will be contacted by email to arrange their refund.
Thanet council leader Sandy Ezekiel has denied that the problems are due to delays in essential maintenance work yet to be carried out at the Port of Ramsgate.
He said: "The terminal is ready and the dredging is just a two-day job."
Were you booked on the service? Tell us what you think by emailing richard.spillett@krnmedia.co.uk or phone 01843 578154.
17 Comments
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by Sally The Sailor, Margate
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 1:17PM
“If somebody had pulled their fingers out over the access road in the 1990's Sally Line might well still be running.Who is holding this up ????????”
by dave, margate
Tuesday, November 17 2009, 7:17PM
“thanet council are just as much to blame as euroferries as they have not done a lot to help just pass it on to someone else and say its not our fault”
by derek, sarre
Friday, November 13 2009, 9:54PM
“i`ve just read in thanet gazette that euroferries will be taking to court people for spreading rumours about the reasons why the service has`nt started ,
should this not be trading stardards taking euroferries to task for taking peoples money and bookings for a service they can clearly not supply.”
by bob, upstreet
Friday, November 13 2009, 9:45PM
“fastcrafts currently are not profitable ,due to the high fuel costs and of course no freight being carried , why not an ordinary ferry to boulogne as earlier said , and i noticed in thanet times it quoted a crossing time of 45 minutes by fastcraft , this should have said 75 minutes , 45 minutes and it would have flown there , please thanet times get it right !”
by jay, ramsgate
Friday, November 13 2009, 4:48PM
“i have been informed the terminal is not even near ready to allow people, Inside with holes in the roof, The boat has not even been in port to see if it will fit , There was a problem with it being like two meters to wide , It seems like a long line of lies , yes it would be a good thing for thanet not just ramsgate but thats only if it ever happens , good luck to the company and hurry up !!!”
by pragmatic, margate
Friday, November 13 2009, 3:32PM
“It all stinks of Poo!!......well it will do once they geta dredger in there and while they are at it while not give the harbour a good clear and keep the fishermen happy”
by Paul Wildman, Ramsgate
Friday, November 13 2009, 11:47AM
“we are eagerly awaiting the start of the cross-channel ferry from Ramsgate to Boulogne. we will go to Boulogne but we can't bring ourselves to purchase a ticket until it has started. I think it is a perfect opportunity for the people of Boulogne to visit Ramsgate. they will find plenty of the items at a very reasonable if not cheaper prices compared to France. it's a perfect opportunity for people of Ramsgate to sell goods to France”
by Neale Crutchley, Ramsgate
Friday, November 13 2009, 2:57AM
“Hello, Jazz. Nobody is against a new ferry service. Nobody wants a new ferry service to fail. Nobody believes Per Staehr is fit to run a lawn mower.”
by jazz, margate
Thursday, November 12 2009, 12:57PM
“How do you expect things like this to really succeed when everybody is against it and wont support it when it comes up to barriers?! I agree with Henrietta to stop critasizing-if they are doing so bad why dont all of you who are critasizing have a go -i bet you would critasize again!”
by cat,, essex
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 2:28PM
“bet this service will be another speedferries wont last. Delays delays delays more delays”