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Thread: Mersey Boats, Ships, Vessels and other floating things

  1. #1
    Creator & Administrator Kev's Avatar
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    Default Mersey Boats, Ships, Vessels and other floating things

    The Mersey Bar

    lightship's owner claims he is being hounded out of Liverpool's Albert Dock and might take this iconic piece of maritime heritage to Manchester. Peter

    Elson reports


    THE Planet lightship, anchored at the Mersey Bar, was the first and last sight of home for millions of seafarers and passengers for

    many years.

    This little red lightship, along with her predecessors, symbolises this world famous port's history. Without doubt, Planet is the most

    iconic Mersey vessel still afloat.

    The story that follows, of Planet's astonishing survival, triumphant return to Liverpool, restoration and now

    rejection, will cause anybody who cares about the city, its history and its soul, to put their head in their hands and weep.

    In spite of Planet being

    one of the Mersey's most important maritime survivors, the lightship's presence in Albert Dock, moored by Blue Bar, is deemed "inappropriate in

    scale".

    Planet's owner, Manchester-based entrepreneur Gary McClarnan, has been told to "consider his options", a move described as "despicable" by

    Mersey Lightvessel Preservation Society.

    In spite of Liverpool's seemingly vast dock estate, in fact suitable berths for a ship like Planet are

    limited.

    The only feasible Liverpool option McClarnan has is the adjacent Canning Half-tide Dock, but its depth varies and the lightship's 12ft

    draught means it could be damaged by the dock bottom. There are also security problems with this exposed berth.

    So it's no option at all, really,

    which leaves him with the more tempting alternative to leave Liverpool entirely for Manchester, where authorities at both Salford and Trafford are ready to

    welcome Planet.

    He says: "I feel I'm being harassed and hounded out like some gypsy who has nowhere to go. I've had Planet's water supply cut off

    for three days and access to the ship was barricaded at one point.

    "I've been told that some of the tenants worry Planet may become a bar, which is

    not the aim and would require planning and licensing permission.

    "Others apparently don't like the colour and think the ship might break her

    moorings. Finally I'm told I did not give enough notice of arrival, but in fact everyone knew two months ago and started negotiations with British Waterways

    a year ago.

    "I've not asked for any money from anyone, but I'd like a bit of a welcome for coming here. The Tate Gallery love the ship and Tony

    Tibbles, keeper of Merseyside Maritime Museum, told me how much he appreciates Planet being here.

    "I've seen other Albert Dock retail tenants to

    introduce myself and ask if they had any concerns about the ship. Everyone I spoke to loves the ship and are happy we are there."

    If this is an

    accurate reflection, then surely this is the real issue that the Albert Dock authorities should be addressing rather than harassing an individual whose

    presence isn't, in fact, resented, but appreciated?

    Merseyside almost lost Planet two years ago when her previous owners wanted to sell her. The

    vessel was rumoured to be going to either Holland or Scandinavia, until McClarnan, 44, a Salfordbased music and property entrepreneur, stepped in.

    He

    bought Planet for "under £100,000" and has since spent a further £100,000 of his own money on continuing restoration.

    Persuaded by the Mersey

    Lightvessel Preservation Society not to relocate Planet to his property at Salford Quays, he is instead converting the ship's interior into studio space for

    12 music and media students to become a possible satellite for the LIPA "fame" school.

    At the dispute's heart is the situation caused by three main

    bodies being responsible for Albert Dock. British Waterways owns the water and gave permission for Planet's six-month temporary berthing, with negotiations

    to take place for a longer period.

    Albert Dock Company owns the buildings (including leasing) and Gower Street Estates operates its public spaces and

    walkways on behalf of tenants. The latter is especially unimpressed by the lightship's historical credentials.

    Sue Grindrod, chairman of Gower Street

    Estates, says: "The lightship came in without consultation. We're working with British Waterways reviewing the strategy of Albert and all the south

    docks.

    "The lightship will be moved into Canning Dock after a number of discussions between British Waterways and ourselves.

    "The lightship

    occupies the sunny side of the dock, blocking out light, and has a negative impact on the businesses. Scale is our main concern, which our board deemed

    inappropriate for the Albert Dock. As the public can't access the lightship, I can't see how it benefits our visitors."

    However, she did agree that

    none of the Albert Dock resident vessels - the tug Brocklebank, coaster Wincham, barquentine Zebu or Indefatigable's launches - were accessible by the

    public, but she thought the Baltic schooner Glaciere could be viewed "by appointment".

    Would Gower Street Estates not feel responsible of the loss of

    Planet to Salford Quays by this decision to force the vessel out of Albert Dock?

    Grindrod says: "It's British Waterways' problem to find a solution.

    We're here to work in partnership in all our interests. Blue Bar expressed operational issues about gaining access to (Planet). There are health and safety

    concerns here."

    Pam Brown, president of Mersey Lightvessel Preservation Society, which fought for years to save Planet, says: "This appears to be an

    infight between the operators of the Albert Dock complex."It is despicable that Bill Broadbent, British Waterways' harbourmaster, who has jurisdiction on

    bringing vessels into Albert Dock, is now having to rescind his permission.

    "I believe Planet's berth was offered a year ago, and this has been all

    done correctly legally with the right insurance. If she's too big for Albert Dock how come this was not spotted earlier on?

    "It would be a great

    shame if Planet goes to Manchester, yet another important part of our Mersey heritage that seems likely to go off to foreign parts."

    Jim Gill, chief

    executive of regeneration agency Liverpool Vision, says: "The south docks do need animation and bringing back boats is a good thing that adds to their

    attractiveness.

    "This whole matter could have been better managed. With a bit more sensitivity between the individuals involved, this problem could

    have been avoided.

    ''Clearly all the people involved have to get on with each other and should behave in a manner for the greater good." The wider

    vision concerns leading Merseyside maritime preservationist Susan Hanley-Place, chairman of Mersey Heritage Trust.



    She says that from the start of

    Albert Dock's regeneration, there were plans - shown on illustrations - to include a lightship.

    "Redevelopment plans always envisaged Planet would

    find her final retirement home in Albert Dock, and here she is, berthed up with Liverpool's square-rigger Zebu," says Hanley-Place.

    "Planet deserves

    a warm Liverpool welcome after all those years heaving at anchor out in the Irish Sea.

    "British Waterways is a decent organisation to deal with. This

    has a great deal to do with Bill Broadbent. Bill had a BW remit to develop the ship presence as he sees fit."I have the original promotional brochure for

    'Albert Dock Village'. It clearly shows the lightship Planet as part of the original aspirational historic ships collection."

    "Basil Bean,

    Merseyside Development Corporation's first chief executive, recognised the importance of smaller historic vessels and British Waterways is now carrying

    forward this vision, and must be supported to the hilt."

    Bill Broadbent, British Waterways harbourmaster, says: "Nobody ever suggested we wouldn't

    speak to Gower Street Estates. We've agreed to move Planet to another location, although all three options have problems regarding water, power and

    security."

    John Sloan of CB Richard Ellis which manages Albert Dock on behalf of Gower Street Estates, says: "We must ensure all procedures for public

    health and safety and general activity connected with the vessels does not interfere with the occupiers which permanently reside on, and the public who

    frequent, the dock area."

    Justine McGuinn, a spokeswoman for CB Richard Ellis, also stated Planet was too big and "quite intrusive" for Albert Dock,

    although the lightship mostly lies lower than the public walkways and its protruding lantern does not obstruct any office windows.

    Pam Brown of Mersey

    Lightvessel Preservation Society reiterates: "We've a great deal to thank Gary McClarnan for. Thanks to him Planet is presently so near to her original home

    at the mouth of the Mersey, afloat on the river waters that actually flow into Albert Dock."

    peter.elson@dailypost.co.uk



    Planet's history

    THE lightship Planet and her predecessors witnessed many maritime events in their lifetimes, especially the convoys

    assembling during the war, before their dash across the Atlantic and around the world.

    The first Mersey lightvessel was also called Planet and built

    at Birkenhead in the 1870s. Planet, stationed at Mersey Bar from 1961 to 1972, was manned by a crew of seven who spent two weeks at a time on board. She had

    no engine and was towed to her position, being held in place by a four-ton wrought iron anchor. Planet was replaced by a 55ft diameter unmanned Automatic

    Navigational Buoy.

    In 1972 Planet was relocated by her owners Trinity House to Guernsey, until 1983. Made redundant again, it was dispatched to Harry

    Pound's scrapyard, Portsmouth.

    She was saved from demolition when bought by Keith Ganes and Mike Critchley, and who berthed the vessel in the East

    Float Dock, Birkenhead, until her latest relocation across the Mersey in Albert Dock.

    Stan McNally, chairman of the Mersey Lightvessel Preservation

    Society, says: "Planet is an historic ship and deserves preservation. This part of Britain has long been associated with the Merchant Navy and provided a

    large proportion of its crews."

    The marine radio museum originally on Planet is now relocated to Perch Rock Fort, New Brighton. Visit the website at:

    www.barlightvessel.org.uk
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    Senior Member shytalk's Avatar
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    Kev,
    Next time you are down that way

    would you get pictures please.
    You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.
    Winston Churchill

  3. #3
    Creator & Administrator Kev's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shytalk View Post
    Kev,
    Next time you are down that way would you get pictures please.
    Yep, no problemski maybe someone already has

    one to share?
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    Senior Member Howie's Avatar
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    Photo: Mersey Bar

    Lightship, Liverpool Daily Post

  5. #5
    Senior Member shytalk's Avatar
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    Thanks.
    You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.
    Winston Churchill

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    Senior Member bobbymac's Avatar
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    It's never ceases to amaze me what people ***** about. Mz. Grinrod should dive in the dock wiv a coal sack on her

    back.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kev View Post
    There are also security problems with this exposed berth.
    Ha ha! Had a look at it yesterday and was

    tempted to jump on board, but thought better of it... Would be a shame if it's forced to leave, as it's certainly an interesting looking ship. I think

    Albert Dock should have more boats in it...

  8. #8
    A.D.Williams
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    17th October 2006.


  9. #9
    A.D.Williams
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    17th October

    2006.


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    A.D.Williams
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    17th October

    2006.


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    A.D.Williams
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    17th October

    2006.


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    A.D.Williams
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    17th October

    2006.


  13. #13
    A.D.Williams
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    17th October 2006 - last

    one.


  14. #14
    Senior Member Howie's Avatar
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    Great pics. I don't understand the problem here. How is it "inappropriate"? - it's a ship in a dock.

  15. #15
    scouserdave
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    Excellent pics Mr

    Williams
    Agree with Howie, wtf is the problem with having a ship in the Albert Dock?

    A comment from another group I belong

    to:
    ==========================
    Paul's comments about the size of vessels in Albert Dock remind me of the days when HMS Eaglet was a floating

    naval establishment in Salthouse Dock (between Albert Dock and the dock road). She was basically a hull with a big shed on the top, flew the White Ensign and

    served as HQ of Mersey Division RNVR (later RNR). HMS Irwell performed the same function in Morpeth Dock, Birkenhead for the Royal Marine reserve - but she

    later crossed the river and was tied up alongside Eaglet. Both were replaced by the the now demolished "stone frigate" by the Waterloo Lock.

    However

    they had a number of other vessels used for various forms of sea training which were kept in the Albert Dock - the largest of which was their minesweeper -

    the name HMS Mersey was passed from ship to ship but the one I remember in Albert Dock was an early Coniston class. There was also a steam pinnace known as

    HMS Rosie (but that may have been a nickname). I went to sea on both of them a few times with the reserve - but never without incident. On HMS Rosie (and I

    think one of her type is still in Albert Dock) we ran aground on the Devil's Bank opposite Otterspool and ended up being rescued by New Brighton

    lifeboat.

    On the minesweeper I remember a trip to Holyhead where the mayor came on board and there was a galley fire whilst he was on board. On

    another occasion we spent the whole of the weekend on board in Albert Dock because the engines wouldn't start. The warehouses were all semi-derelict but so

    well built they could not afford to demolish them but at that stage there was no money and no vision for what has transpired since. We were on the sunny side

    of the dock and, being sheltered from any breeze there might have been, we just frizzled all weekend.

    So .. there are historical precedents for large

    vessels than PLANET in the dock.

    ==========================

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