Value of the vessel the Duchess of Normandy and details and cost of of all works carried out over last 3 years

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HARBOURS AND AIRPORT COMMITTEE

BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 14th DECEMBER 2004

Question

Would the President inform members –

1. of the currentvalueof the DuchessofNormandy and give details ofwhat works havebeen carried outon the vessel over the last threeyears, such asnewengines,replacement electronics etc, and thevalueoftheworks carried out? and,
2. of the programmeputin place to replace the vesselifany? Answer

1. In 2003,anindependentNavalArchitect's valuation estimated a currentmarketvalueofnomore than £50,000on the vessel. A secondary verbal valuation from the original builder ofthevessel indicated that a marketvalueof£40,000 was nowmore realistic.

O ver the last three years, a total amount of £21,000 (average £7,000 per annum) has been spent on the

Duchess of Normandy, excluding salary and fuel cost. These costs relate to licences, certification, equipment, hull and machinery maintenance. No major works, (such as new engines, or re-wiring), has been undertaken for at least seven years.

T h ese works are all running costs and do not effect the status of the vessel which, to quote from the valuation,

in its current form would not satisfy the requirements of the Code of Practice for Small Workboats and Pilot Boats. Therefore, the potential market is very restricted. If the vessel were purchased for commercial operation, it would require issue of appropriate certification and considerable and costly modification would be necessary. Alternative sale for private pleasure use would also require extensive modification'.

2. The Duchess of Normandy' is beingreplaced through the implementation of the strategy to integrate the Pilotage Service within Jersey Harbours' operations. From January 2005, having acquired the twopilotboats from the CompanyofTown Pilots, Jersey Harbours will useone of thoseboats, (which both meetWorkboat Code ofPracticestandards), to fulfil the previous functionsoftheDuchessofNormandy.

T his forms a tangible part of meeting our objective of offering a better, simpler and cheaper service.

Estimated savings of £120,000 per annum are being achieved as a direct result of the Pilotage integration and further savings achieved through the Marine Centre project, of which the Pilotage is a part, amount to a further £150,000. Furthermore, the work required to convert the Duchess of Normandy to workboat standards has not been necessary. These savings do indeed allow us to provide a better and safer integrated service.