Inspection starts on roll-on roll-off ramp

Linkspan No.2 was built in the mid-1990s and is one of two ramps used to load and unload vehicles and freight from ferries.

Robert West Consulting is checking the ramp’s condition, which will help to inform future planning.

The above water assessment took place this week, with an underwater survey by Guernsey Ports’ dive team taking place in April 2024.

The same company inspected Linkspan No. 1, which dates from the 1980s, last autumn, and found that the 650-tonne steel and concrete structure had deteriorated less than anticipated.

Guernsey Ports’ project manager Joe Armstrong said both linkspans were in full operational use and were subject to regular inspection as part of an ongoing maintenance programme.

‘The inspection of the No.1 Linkspan showed us it was in a better condition than we initially anticipated given its age,’ he said.

‘The No.2 Linkspan is of a different design to No.1 and is the preferred berth of ship operators, both due to its location east of the New Jetty and the fact that its larger buoyancy tank can support ramp operations without the need for pendant connections.’

The survey from the specialist marine civil engineers and the local dive team will enable a detailed assessment of its condition.

‘This will inform a detailed options appraisal of the future options for the two RoRo Linkspans and how to best focus our resources to extend their operational life,’ Mr Armstrong said.