All indications are that the new fast ferry service between Boulogne and the Millionaires' Playground will be going ahead on 14 November. Here's the evidence:- Photos have been posted on our local biblio-bloke's blog and Adem's Big Blog of the Bonanza Express catamaran apparently being painted with the Euroferries logo in Tenerife on 30 October, along with a statement by Thanet South MP Steve Ladyman: 'I can’t wait to see the vessel finally arrive in Ramsgate. It could make a real difference to the Town so I have all my fingers crossed.' Must make using a computer a bit difficult, Steve. By the way, didn't you announce the service on 9 January, almost a year ago?
- A press release from Euroferries has been published on the This French Life website to the effect that they are still planning to launch on 14 November:
Euroferries is pleased to confirm that the high speed ferry, Bonanza Express, since last week has been undergoing final preparations by FOSA (Fred Olsen S.A.) in Tenerife for its transfer to Boulogne. Arrangements including dredging are in hand at both ports in support of Euroferries new Ramsgate/Boulogne service scheduled to commence on the 14th November.
- Bonanza Express is due to depart from Tenerife (for Boulogne, it is assumed) on Friday, according to the Port of Santa Cruz website.
And the clincher - Euroferries are taking bookings for 14 November onwards, and your money, on their website! And the nice, reassuring lady on the phone is telling callers everything is fine, and that the ticket prices include travel insurance, so your dough is safe anyway. Hurrah!
Speaking as a Ramsgatonian, I'd be very happy if this service did go ahead. Speaking as a fully paid up member of the Cynics Club of Great Britain however...
22 comments:
Interestingly, the stated destination of Bonanza on the Santa Cruz website is REINO UNIDO (UK) not France, perhaps they are coming here first to inspect all the works going on at the port? Or maybe stopping off at Dover to raise a digit or two.
Does the interior of Ramsgate really look like the photo on the French Life website ?
Looks more like a stock shot to me.
You mean it used to look like this before it was closed up ?
Sez in the paper the dock is not big enuf.
Well from memory the passenger terminal in Ramsgate will at least need a lick or two of paint before paying passengers can go through it.
As for docking arrangements there will need to be preparations made. For example, you cannae tie an aluminium craft up to a steel berth, it'll start oxidising, and I'm sure Fred Olsen, the people Euroferries are chartering Bonanza Express from, wouldn't want that.
And before anyone gets too excited, let us not forget BE is not a 'new fast craft'. It's ten years old. Not so long ago it ran aground. Lord knows how it's going to fare in Ramsgate's undredged waters.
4.17 Just a technical point here about steel berths and oxidisation, you can use them on a temporary basis without significant damage, this is one reason for depletion anodes.
My understanding is that they will be using link span No2 on a temporary basis while the new berth is completed.
Yes that is true Michael but it depends on what Fred Olsen have stipulated in the charter. They may insist on covering the berth with some kind of insulation.
Whatever the solution to that it is not a difficult one. I am more concerned about the depth of water given the council's poor track record on dredging.
michael, it's not because the 'new berth' is being constructed, it's because the sea jack and her support craft use that berth and the surrounding dockside, therefore she can't dock there at the moment.
It also says' sin determinar', 'no assignment' so read into that what you will, Richard.
it can also mean unspecified - perhaps refering to the port destination.... there are others for example in Spain that say the same.
Can anybody confirm what is said in the 'news nibble' article - that the tax paid shop at the terminal is complete? Though the site was derelict. Who is this Ben Willians Marketing Supremo - anybody know him?
As far as I know the article is wrong about the tax paid shop. It would be extremely helpful if one of the local reporters got down there and had a look for themselves rather than just reprinting every press release that falls on their desk.
Local journalists to take a look at something? Now there's a novelty. Perhaps then we might get some facts not just TDC spin.
I've just taken a look at the official Boulogne sur Mer website. I could find no mention of the promised ferry service, but my knowledge of the French language is not great. Is there anyone out there who is fluent in French? If so, the site is at www.ville-boulogne-sur-mer.fr
Anyone can take a look just turn up at the Port walk to the windows, shake your head an walk off in disgust...its that simple.
Why on earth Steve does not do the same - instead of sitting on his nice safe office seat beggars belief.
Now, the stated destination of Bonanza on the Santa Cruz website is Tenerife on november ??? Whats the problem ???
20 BONANZA EXPRESS PASAJE RAPIDO ES T2009-4893-3 LA LUZ Y LAS PALMAS LOS CRISTIANOS (TENERIFE) 26/10/2009 11:35:00 22/11/2009 12:00:00 LLANOS DL-5 FRED OLSEN, S.A.
Los Christianos 22nd November - typo error surely !!!!!
I´ve checked with another source. That information is correct.
This gets better and better as fairy stories go. Why would a bunch of faceless ferriers be trying to con the people of East Kent and Boulogne into believing a state of the art (ha ha!!) ferry service is starting up. What about people who have booked and paid for tickets? We need the Beeb to do a bit more investigating.
I have looked at the Boulogne website but there is no mention of any ferries that I can find but it is a site about the town.
according to this site, the ferry service started at the end of March. It has a cloak!
http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2009/03/ramsgate-to-boulogne-service-to-start-end-of-march.html
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