Another ramp incident on Gozo ferry
A car going up the ramp of the upper deck of a Gozo Channel ferry had to stop half-way this evening as part of the ramp started to be lifted, an eyewitness said.
The eyewitness said this may have damaged the car as it leaked oil. The incident also caused a 15-minute delay with the 8.15 p.m. trip from Mgarr leaving at 8.30 p.m.
The eyewitness said the crew promptly excused themselves as the ship departed.
Last August, Gozo Channel launched an internal enquiry after at least two vehicles were damaged on the ferry ramp as it jerked backwards while they were disembarking in Mġarr.
The company assumed full responsibility and said that a mooring rope had snapped, causing the ferry to move backwards.
In another incident in June 13, the ramp of a ferry was allegedly raised while commuters were still standing on it.
Gozo Channel blamed passengers for that incident, saying some had attempted to stop the ferry from departing by getting on the ramp as it was being raised, apparently to delay the trip so other passengers could board.
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67 Comments
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James Dewar
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:19
Seem to be too many incidents with no subsequent accountability. A disaster in the making?
Chris Pace
Sep 22nd 2012, 14:08
and i beleive that the crew is going to blame the people again like last time yes?
E. Azzopardi
Sep 22nd 2012, 13:42
We are becoming more inefficient as time goes by, instead of the opposite.
Vincent Camilleri
Sep 22nd 2012, 12:24
@Julian Borg
When were you last on a Gozo Channel boat? Yes there is much to be done to have more discipline and better organisation during the boarding of vehicles. These incidents are happening too often for comfort
Paul Meilak
Sep 22nd 2012, 11:40
It seems that FINALLY Maltese people can understand why the Gozitans were constantly arguing about the Gozo Channel Ferry. I hope that NOW the Maltese heads of departments can believe why Gozitan workers may arrive late at work in the morning.
Joe M Borg
Sep 22nd 2012, 11:00
Maybe a saboteur in the crew? Always the SAME kind of 'accident'! Just asking!
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:33
@ J.M. Borg
I doubt it- just the crew trying to 'cut corners' to save time, I would guess
Darren Cordina
Sep 22nd 2012, 10:42
Darba konna hergien mill-vapur u naraw ir-rampa nizla fuqna. Alla habna li ndunajna ghax kieku zgur ghafgitna. Il-haddiema kienu qaqocca jpacpcu u meta r-rapportajt kull ma qaluli " skuzana - s-sigurta hija mportanti ghalina"
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:32
Judging from the comments below something is seriously wrong with the operations procedures on these ferries.
I've been on lots of ferries between Wales and Ireland and have never heard anything like this. I also worked on a car carrier where we had similar movable decks and they require careful attention in their operation, with an officer supervising at all times. If this goes on someone is doing to be seriously injured.
joseph hili
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:26
that is what happen when there is only one shipping line between the two islands.
where is the competition ?
Graziella Muscat
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:01
Gozo channel ? What a disgrace!!! Last Friday I was on the ferry to Malta, we went down to our car on time before the big ramp went down but the red push button of the upper car deck sliding door was not working and we were not able to reach our cars! We went to the other sliding car deck door of the other side and it was not working aswell!!! You can imagine the frustration and when we asked the Gozo channel employees they told us calm down do not worry we take you down by the lift. We went down by the lift and we found that our cars collided bumper to bumper hanging on each other with the ramp down!!!! The hand brake was all up, so what happened? The response from the employees: “Come on get off the ferry now, hurry up and sort your problems outside on the harbour”. If the push button was working well, we would have been in our cars and nothing would have happened!
What if there was an accident in the upper car deck and people wanted to get out of the sliding door???? There was no escape because all the sliding doors where out of order.
Gozo Channel you should be ashamed of your services and customer care WHO is responsible of this crap!!!!!!! Guess what as usual No one is!!
John Gozo
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:29
Gozo Channel please can you open yet another investigation as has now become common practice? I guess that soon we will expect a similar press release from Gozo Channel. Would be interesting to know if Gozo Channel has ever concluded one of its notorious investigations! Who will finally assume responsibility? Or is nobody ever held accountable in this country?
Julian Borg
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:13
.... Give the guys a break. Mistakes will always happen as long as human beings are involved.....but to say the company is in disarray is a complete exaggeration!
Mr robert micallef
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:34
Mistakes ? its the 3rd time in a row. do you realise what will happen if the ramp is lowered with cars still under it ? do you think it cannot happen ?
i have been on similar ferries abroad. they usually have only 1 person directing the traffic. On the gozo ferry there are at least 6 or 8.
this is sheer incompetence not a mistake. And the fact that in the previous 2 "mistakes" no one got sacked is the reason for the repeat offence.
but we know this company as when a captain spoke about it's emergency readiness he nearly lost his job. Says alot about the safety concern of Gozo channel. lets hope there is never a fire or anything like that
R Axisa
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:43
these 'mistakes' seem to have become very common. If it were you, I'm sure you wouldn't say the same thing.
Peter Murray
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:03
You can never give safety and trhe safety of human beings a break .Whats wrong with you as mistakes dont usually happen ....they are caused.
Alfred Vassallo
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:17
''Give the guys a break'' Are you for real??? 1-2-3 times and no one seems to get it through his head that something is drastically wrong with the whole system??? I would expect a deck officer will be in full charge of these operation and NOT let deck hands manage the system themselves without supervision.
Paul Camilleri
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:01
The same thing happened also yesterday with the 5.15pm ferry departing from Mgarr. As I was going to board the upper deck of the ferry as a Gozo Channel employee told me to do, another employee started to lift the deck. Then all employees started shouting so that the mentioned employee stops as I was literally touching the ramp. Way to go Gozo Channel!!
R Axisa
Sep 22nd 2012, 07:16
mill-hazin ghall-aghar!
C Scorey
Sep 22nd 2012, 06:53
In all fairness and respect to each and everyone , I personally think that after these incidents Gozo Channel must have a independent safety and quality audit to determine the cause of such failures which god forbids might injure someone very soon.
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:37
And the sooner the better, but from an independent assessor, not a company man.
V Caruana
Sep 22nd 2012, 06:32
Insure your car and yourself before going abroad (to Gozo).
Lawrence Fenech
Sep 22nd 2012, 05:53
Giving crossing to and from Gozo a bad name. Service deteriorating and becoming dangerous with regards to the ramp causing uneccessary damage to cars.
Carmel De Gabriele
Sep 22nd 2012, 05:33
3rd time GOZO CHANNEL TAN-NEJK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mario Tabone
Sep 22nd 2012, 04:47
It seems that these incidents are getting more and more common.
The reason is the turn around time of the ferries is not enough for the staff to do the job properly and safely.
When doors and hatches are being opened before the ferry stops and ramps are unlocked or whatever the terminology is, then this is a breach of safety regulations . There will only be one time when something will go drastically wrong and it will result in a tragedy.
This alleged abuse of safety regulations, if verified , has to be stopped and the company held to account .
C Cassar
Sep 22nd 2012, 03:02
Boring. What about the days when no incidents have occurred? That's around 99.8% of the journeys across th eGozo channel.
Again, the Maltese are showing that they know nothing about these services whatsoever.
It's embarassing to see the Maltese being so un-educated about the reality in running such services where these very occasional incidents happen to equivalents services across Europe.
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:35
@ C. Cassar
"It's embarassing to see the Maltese being so un-educated about the reality in running such services where these very occasional incidents happen to equivalents services across Europe"
'Occasional' is the operative word here- it seems to be too frequent in Gozo Channel ferries.
Mark Shaw
Sep 22nd 2012, 11:26
Such as the " Herald of Free Enterprise" at Zeebruge??? yes it's embarassing when these mistakes become public knowledge!! If the "realities" are that we have to accept "short cuts" and " corners cut" because everyone else does then tragedy is only around the corner!!
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:43
@ Mark Shaw
In the case of the 'Herald' the Masters had complained that there was no way of overseeing the operation of the bow doors from the Bridge- when they asked for CCTV to view these doors from the Bridge the company said it would cost too much.
In the Gozo ferries, it seems to be from the various posts there is no rehearsed routine for the operation of these car decks, or if there is, it's not being followed.
Joseph Micallef
Sep 22nd 2012, 01:54
Despite the fact that the latest tunnel in Malta always leaks water, up to the point that the authorities gave up and covered the tunnel's wall with transparent plastic cover, I believe that with the recurrent incidents on Gozo Channel's ferries, a tunnel linking Malta to Gozo would be safer...
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:45
The one between England and France hasn't flooded yet- and it's over 22 miles (35 km) long.
John Azzopoardi
Sep 22nd 2012, 00:53
Do we need to post policemen on the Gozo ferry. common people, let act in a more civilized manner.
Monique Scerri
Sep 22nd 2012, 00:44
Issa la ikorri xi hadd sew niehdu azzjoni ... Ghax hawn Malta hekk biss nafu!!!!
Joseph Portelli
Sep 22nd 2012, 00:28
well it is not the crew s' fault after all it is more a problem with this ramp that they should look after it as fast as possible.. imagine that car was of some minister probably action will be taken more seriously... and yes way things are going people will start not feeling safe anymore...but this is only until someone will get hurt or else die....
Emmanuel Mazzitelli
Sep 22nd 2012, 00:07
Apparently the Gozo Channel ramps are bewitched.
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 21st 2012, 23:35
Another ramp incident?
M Tonna
Sep 21st 2012, 23:00
Here we go again, I was wondering if it was the same ship again?
Ramp controls are manually operated not automatic, so basically if you have a car on the ramp you don't operate them until it clears it!
If the company does not take any action to route out the culprits before anyone gets seriously hurt or even worse, then it's just as guilty for not taking any actions to prevent these things from happening,
Full stop.
joseph scicluna
Sep 21st 2012, 22:51
did anyone notice that the first report coming, indicated quote ' a ship coming up the ramp on the upper deck of a Gozo Channel ferry ' "
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 16:45
Yes.
Mario Camilleri
Sep 21st 2012, 22:46
For those who are not informed, all gozo channel ferries have a life time till 2018 and then its scrap time!!!
Also, the lack of discipline in workers, in health and safety and maintenance is clearly visible.
Its not the first time I had to stop people from smoking :-(
There is lack of motivation in the workers mentality. No pride at all.
This is the truth.
Charles Grixti
Sep 21st 2012, 22:45
This is getting to be standard operating procedure for Gozo Channel.
Carmel Ellul
Sep 21st 2012, 22:44
Too many near misses on these ramps .
Near misses must considered as accidents and are a warning of worse things to come unless the root cause of these problems are found and solved.
It looks like combination of untrained personnel , defective hydraulics , bypassed safety latches and possible shortcuts taken by the ramp personnel to reduce the turnaround time.
Whatever the reason , if something serious happens it will ultimately become the responsibility of the Directors of Gozo Channel . This is what the law states.
Jay Oatmon
Sep 21st 2012, 22:38
I ask the same question who is in charge of HSE at Gozo Channel - is there anyone responsible or is it the same old run around each time there is a failure?
1. Are there proper safety procedures and who implements them?
2. Is there a feedback mechanism for reporting 'near misses' etc, and are these logged?
3. Are there regular safety meetings?
The Gozo Channel seems to be run in a very amateur fashion with no clearly defined responsibilities (in writing) etc.
Simon Fenech
Sep 21st 2012, 21:45
Gozo Channel Line personnel have to start being more attentive to these issues. Accidents do happen but with proper attention at all times accidents that happen are really few and unavoidable.
These upper ramps have huge hydraulically activated dead bolts that lock in place once the ramp is in the up position. This redundant mechanical safety gadget is in place so that even if there is a fault in the ramp rising hydraulics, the ramp stays up. Only when these dead bolts are locked can cars and people be cleared underneath the ramp.
And yet the last time I crossed the channel, I noticed that one of the workers had already removed the dead bolts in preperation for a speedy ramp descent due to tight schedule. This was done when the lower deck was full of cars and poeple (ship was moored at Cirkewwa cause in Gozo people exit via the terminal directly) exiting the ferry. In fact the audio and visual beacons could be heard and seen. It should be a NO NO to disengage the mechanical protection and rely solely on the hydraulic rams to support the weight of the ramp and cars above it. Should a hydraulic ram fail, tens of people could be crushed to death here.
Who is responsible for this please also take heed!!
Lawrence Camilleri
Sep 22nd 2012, 05:23
Very enlightening and most interesting. The crew engaged in this area should all read this (surely they know the importance of adhering to safety regulations) and severe disciplinary action taken for any shortcomings. While on this subject I call on the ships' masters to announce via the PA system the arrival of the ferries at the various berths asking car drivers on board to ensure they are in their driving seats in time to drive off. Many a time drivers take positions after the ferries would have berthed with drivers in line frustrated as they wait in line because their line is blocked with a car without the driver in the seat. Also car plate numbers should be called out when (and this is very common) car alarms are activated in spite of notices that alarm systems should be turned off. Some crew members do their job properly but many others still need their attention to be drawn to avoid avoidable accidents.
tony abela
Sep 22nd 2012, 06:33
While I have no reason to doubt what Mr Fenech Simon is saying, if this is true, it needs immediate action for not to be repeated.
I advice commuters to keep on the alert at all times and as soon as they something such as this abuse they should raise the issue there and then with the Captain.
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:33
If this is true then the respective Authority should investigate such a serious shortcoming in procedures. A 24/7 cctv system should be installed in this section of the ferry to monitor if any Gozo Channel operator carries out such a dangerous act. Removing dead bolts while passengers are still under the ramp is tantamount to criminal negligence.
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:40
@ Simon French
Good post. But that would come under "Health and Safety" and who cares in Malta? The way to go is the threat of massive compensation claims when regulations are involved.
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 23:06
@ Simon Fenech
Apologies for misspelling your name last time.
Sad as it is for me to say as an ex-seafarer, I think the Gozo ferry concept is past its sell-by date. The trip is too short and when that is the case, either through boredom, laziness or simply to make up time, short-cuts will become routine. Also, as the equipment gets older more and more maintenance will be required. A serious accident is only a matter of time in coming. It's not a case of if but when.
Eventually these ferries will reach the end of their useful life and therefore now is the time for government to start planning either a bridge or tunnel for this crossing.
Victor Vella
Sep 21st 2012, 21:36
It seems that Gozo Channel is in a state of disarray. No planning, no coordination, no control. Misfit instead of mismanagement.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 21st 2012, 21:35
Another Engineering mishap brought immediately to the Limelight and action to be taken immediately.
I do hope that all Politicains, Reigious personnel and Consultants at Mater Day. Teachers and Financial wizards, Managers and CEOs and MBS boys, see to their patients as quickly as we are expected to do!
Why are Guarantees expected only of Engineers.
Most of the time people I mentioned spend most of their time looking for other people to eventually do the jobs requried. If I had my time all over again, I would go to Brussels administering projects rather than stay in Malta making and commisioning Projects!!! withut guaramtees associated with them and where possibly Nature does all the fixing and repair rather that th ehuman operator as in the case of medicing and religions, the healing is from within most of the time! All Europe is going that way and few will be follow professions where products are guaranteed. And anyway all products will be made in China and India and replacement will be offered rather than guarantees.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 21st 2012, 22:55
Sorry Mater Dei
Joseph N. Attard
Sep 21st 2012, 23:46
Mr Pule, I do try to understand the case you make every time for Engineers; I do appreciate that few people treat them and their profession with the respect they deserve; I do understand that for many people, the word engineer means just a mechanic; in short, I am in full sympathy with you. But for heaven's sake, these repeated mishaps on Gozo Channel have little to do with Engineers or Engineering in general. To most, they smack of human error. That has still to be established by the various enquiries underway. One just hopes that these enquiries do not lead to ignorant or arrogant personell.
Michael Vella
Sep 22nd 2012, 00:32
Carmel Pule, "replacements are offered" because two-year warranty is mandatory on all products sold within the EU irrespective of their country of origin, and not in lieu of guarantee. And anyway, why does this guarantee business weigh so heavily upon your shoulders?
Pule' Carmel
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:39
Mr Michael Vella. I just philosophise about society's behaviour towards diverse professions and notice all I say about the nature of professions and their contact with people and products,Because many professions are not required to guarantee and do not give two hoots about the service they give, they get paid whether the service is successful or not and the people do not say much about it. When it comes to an engineering product and a service, all hell breaks lose in an instant and the engineer is paid only if the results are successful and what is more he cannot delay the service as courts and hospitals and religions and Parliament and Banks ,do and what is more people give more respect to those professions who guarantee nothing and still get paid if the result operation is successful or not or a person fininshes with a few missing limbs and body parts and we we claim that the operation was successful. It is all ann interesting study of society's behaviour so that parents can advise their sons about social behaviour. I shall not go into the recompensation enough to say that Politicians and Court members think that they are above us to demand and get uncapped pensions and Medical doctors are goven a conscession not to pay Vat. It is all this I find interesting when the study periods and responsibilities are not that much different. I wonder what would happen if a Gozo Ferry sinks, but it does not seem to matter when the Bank fails its stocks and shares with your money and so many more descrepancies in our society, Why not bring them to light? perhaps one day life is fairer to all.
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:44
Provided equipment and machinery are properly tested in manufacture and later properly maintained, most accidents occur when people take 'short cuts' as seems to be the case here judging from some of the posts.
Andrew Busuttil
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:48
@ Michael Vella
But that's the point!!..
Why should other services be exempt from providing a full guarantee??
Notarial services, defective contracts, skimpy searches!
Lawyers and their mistaken advice!
Doctor's misdiagnosis and treatments!
Politicians and their phony promises!
Software programmers and their many bugs!
Have you ever been issued a refund, or paid damages for lost productively due to a M$ Windows bug or any other software package misbehaviour?
This is the classic case of applying "Two weights and Two measures"!
Paul Caruana
Sep 21st 2012, 21:32
Gozo Channel really needs to get a handle on these incidents before a fatality occurs.
Darren Bonnici
Sep 21st 2012, 21:23
When I was returning from Gozo last weekend the ramp almost went down on a car driving beneath!
Rachel Borg
Sep 21st 2012, 21:17
Again?! This is absurd
C Cassar
Sep 21st 2012, 21:13
How many crossings have complete without incident?
Luke Bellamy
Sep 21st 2012, 23:55
Of course you are right, but unfortunately most people always focus on the negative on here. And they always give their opinion without knowing all (if any) the facts.
Claire Busuttil
Sep 21st 2012, 21:13
I am starting to get worried and not feel safe if travelling with my car on the Gozo Channel.....too many accidents lately!!
Mr Tony Gatt
Sep 22nd 2012, 09:46
I'm just thinking the same- luckily I don't go to Gozo often.
R. Balzan
Sep 21st 2012, 21:10
Dak li jigrilek meta timla' kumpanija bil-bazuzli minflok b'nies efficjenti li jafu jaghmlu xoghlhom sew.
J Martinelli
Sep 21st 2012, 23:42
Bazuzli ta liema naha, R Balzan. Tahseb li l-haddiema tal-Gozo Channel huma kollha Nazzjonalisti, jew inkella kollha Laburisti? Nistghu nghidu l-istess ghal haddiema kollha, jahdmu fejn jahdmu le?
Mela l-haddiema huma kollha bazuzli ta xi hadd jew ta xi partit? Forsi xi 8000 minnhom?
VICTOR VELLA
Sep 22nd 2012, 08:39
ghalek ghandu jsir kollox f'dejn privat ghax is- servizz jitjieb u jispicca darba ghal dejjem li flox jkollok nies ta qwalita tispicca bil bazuli u ma jkun jista jkellimhom hadd ghax jkun dahhalom xi ministru.
Please choose the reason of your report below: