Leopardess needs refit not replacement

Simply because the vessel is approaching the end of its design life we feel does not justify replacement. The Leopardess is not structurally at the end of her life. Perhaps a repower is due and with a refit in the region of £250,000 to £300,000 in total the boat would be good for another 10 years and then another assessment would be made as to what work is required to bring her up to scratch for the next 10 years, etc.

Condor's fast ferries are aluminium and each run for many thousands of hours each year. Condor 10 is 23 years old and is operating in the Philippines. The Sarnia workboat is 27 years old and has an aluminium hull.

In the Billet, page 2291, it says that replacement engines would cost £700,000. In the media statement of 26 September it says £400,000. Just what are we to believe? In reality, the retail price for a pair of D13 700hp engines – including gearboxes, trolling valves, instruments and one set of controls – is £163,000. The work described could easily be carried out at a local shipyard at a considerable cost saving, as opposed to sending the vessel back to the original shipbuilder in Holland, incurring exorbitant costs.

Also, specifying an aluminium hull automatically eliminated Aquastar from the tendering process, resulting in an 'Exemption to Tender' being granted. This enquiry should have gone out to tender, it did not; Aquastar should have been invited to submit a proposal, it was not.

GRP is a proven alternative material and has been used for many years in the production of hulls. The Brecqhou Lass, which is 41 years old, has a GRP hull. The material is durable and easily repaired and Aquastar are experts in its use. They have been producing boats for many years and are experienced in meeting custom design requirements, including shaft-drive vessels. They built the UK's largest trawler made of GRP in the 1970s and produce other vessels up to 85ft long.

Recently the Treasury minister, Gavin St Pier, issued a letter in which he stated that the States should continue to rein in spending and that there should be no let-up in the control of States spending. He went on to say that now more than ever we need to act together to look at the picture as a whole. Is this proposal an example of how the States save taxpayers' money and work together?

The Confederation of Guernsey Industry would urge deputies not to accept the proposals as outlined in Billet XV1, item 18 – Purchase of a replacement Fisheries Protection Vessel. We would also suggest that Aquastar, a local company employing local labour and with a proven track record, should be consulted and involved as and when the Leopardess does become uneconomical to operate. The amount of work that has been undertaken locally on the Leopardess as a percentage of the annual costs for maintenance is minimal. Almost all of the work has been undertaken in Holland. Why?

Local yards can undertake pretty well all of the work on the Leopardess, including a repower and refit, so why are the States not supporting local business for the benefit of the island's economy?

We are frequently hearing the statement that Guernsey needs to attract business to the island and yet apparently it is quite acceptable to totally ignore local skills and expertise and spend our hard-earned money elsewhere.

Taxpayers' money should be kept in the island to provide employment opportunities in a number of trades and professions and also realise a very significant saving which is in accordance with the tenets of the Treasury minister's recent letter.

LARRY GRANGER,

Chairman,

The Confederation of Guernsey Industry.