Storm brews over trucks damaged in ferry crash
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N by Liam O'Brien
Hauliers on board the P&O Stena Aquitaine when it collided with a Calais jetty fear the ferry operator won't pay the full cost of repairing their damaged vehicles.
The bow doors on the 26,000-tonne vessel crashed into harbour walls early on 27 April when its engines failed to slow its approach.
The physical damage caused to vehicles as they were shunted forward by the impact was recorded by P&O Stena staff as they disembarked.
But less obvious damage is only now being noticed by hauliers, who say PAD Stena is not interested in their claims.
Douglas Philips, manager of DT International, has had steering problems on his four-year-old 38-tonne Globetrotter since the accident. Philips says his complaints to RIO Stone have met with no response so far.
Fears about the vehicle's roadworthiness have prompted him to book it for a full mechanical inspection, which he will bill P&O Stena for.
Philips says: "If you shunt nearly 40 tonnes of vehicle from a standing position several feet, it
has got to have an adverse effect. We have tried to talk to them [P&O Stone] about this but they are reluctant to talk to anybody. They are trying to hush it up."
A spokesman for PAD Stena is unwilling to comment about damage done to vehicles on the Aquitaine, but says each claim will be dealt with on an individual basis.
The Maritime Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the cause of the accident and says that hauliers safety might have been put at risk.
Drivers were kept on board the RD-RD for several hours after the incident—and after passengers and cars had disembarked—to allow it to reverse to another jetty for rear disembarkation of freight vehicles.
At the time of the incident there were reports of the vessel being holed below the waterline and taking on water.
Other hauliers on board the Aquitaine who have experienced problems with their vehicles are invited to contact Douglas Philips at DI International on: 020 8312 3700.