Build new boat locally

Well, I have looked through the list of names on that board and from what I can see there are only three who have any nautical knowledge – Captain Barry Paint, Lyndon Trott and Roger Perrot.

Why, oh why, can't people listen to the voices of experience in choosing the right boat and at the right price, instead of going off on your 'jollies' looking at boats and prices that are so outlandish and not really what we can afford. This committee appear to be able to produce money from nowhere, just to get their own way.

I thought we (Guernsey) were on an economy drive, trying to keep prices down, not pushing them up.

Take, for instance, our marine ambulance, Flying Christine III – it is a well-proven vessel, a Nelson 45 GRP hull, designed to cut through the waves, rather than ride on the surface. It has twin Volvo turbo-charged diesel engines, giving a maximum speed of 28 knots, built to Lloyds' specification and designed by Mr A. Mursell of TT Boats Design and is now approximately 20 years old and still going strong, plus, it was built by a local yard at the time.

So why go for a new Leopardess off-island, when we have a local firm here on our own doorstep quite capable of producing the required vessel and at a cheaper price? It beggars belief.

All I can say is roll on the next elections – but by then it will be too late. They at C&E would have spent our money and fled.

BRIAN LOWE,

Autumn Leaves,

Ruette des Corneilles,

Cobo,

Castel.