00:00Hello, my name is Dean Murphy, Head of Port Operations for WyeLink Ferries.
00:04Hi Dean, how are you doing? Very well, thank you.
00:06So what pushed you to undertake this essential maintenance at the WyeLink port at this time?
00:11Yeah, WyeLink continued to invest in our ports and our vessels and during the refit period of
00:17the winter months, we've utilised this period to ensure and continue our punctuality and reliability
00:23and improve the systems within the port, continuing the relationship with our good
00:30friends at the PIP and running from the ports of international port during this period.
00:35Okay, and has there been any big priority right now as the Head of Port Operations
00:40during this maintenance period? Yeah, we've used the time frame to do
00:44multiple jobs on the port, but one of the largest investment periods is using the time to redo the
00:51fenders to future-proof the port for the future and maintaining that with good neighbours and
00:56making sure that the operation is as seamless and as quiet as possible.
01:01So what is the scope of the work being done and why do you think it's important for long-term
01:06functionality of the port? Okay, so at the current time, we're
01:10looking at doing our works on our ramp and our links van, which is the fenders, so the area in
01:16which the vessels dock into the links van. We're looking to do the hydraulic ramps, replacing them
01:20on a continued rotation. As well as that, we're looking, we don't get much time to do works within
01:27the port as we run 24-7, so we've used that to do some works with regards to marshalling areas,
01:34parts into the main terminal building and the ramp that goes to the upper deck, we're doing
01:38some works on that because that's in use almost all the time.
01:41It's very important to replace them? Absolutely, it's always good to maintain,
01:44to make sure you've got the safest operation and prolong and make sure that you're future-proofing
01:49the port and the route, yeah. You know, a number of people have commented
01:53saying that the relocation of the car ferry port could improve the traffic near Gunn Wharf.
01:57Would a permanent relocation of car ferries ever be considered?
02:01It's something that has been discussed in the past, however, with the investment we've made
02:07to the area over the past five to six years, with the two-tier loading, we're very happy,
02:13very comfortable at this location. So were there any challenges in planning
02:18this project, particularly with the relocation of the services?
02:22Yeah, one of the biggest parts of the project was the scheduling and changing the timetable
02:28due to the fact that it's a longer crossing, so therefore we've had to change all our scheduling,
02:33move customers, inform our customers, change all our rosters for our staff and so forth,
02:39so the ergonomics of moving out there has been the biggest challenge.
02:41So were there any measures taken for the temporary relocation?
02:45Yeah, so we've made sure that we've spoken and worked with our Ports of International Port
02:51colleagues and ensuring that we've got the appropriate time frame to do that. All our
02:56colleagues have worked with us to ensure that we've got a robust service and we're ready for
03:02this change. So any feedback that you have received
03:04from the community and stakeholders about this project?
03:08We haven't received any feedback at this moment in time, we normally receive that after,
03:12but we're hoping the feedback will be taken as positive as we're trying to improve
03:16and maintain the best safe and reliable service we can for the city and for the route.
03:21True. And any adjustments did you make to ensure a seamless experience for the customers during
03:27this transition? Yeah, so what we've tried to do,
03:31we've sent out multiple communications with regards to all customers that have been impacted
03:35and their bookings have been changed via text message, emails, and we've ensured that the
03:42International Port, we've got a lot of staff around to ensure that customers can ask questions
03:48because it is a change for them. It's a change of port, but we're making sure that the journey and
03:53the change is as seamless as possible for them. How will the improvements benefit the community
03:59and the ferry users and overall operations in the future?
04:02Okay, so the changes we're making today will ensure that our punctuality and reliability
04:07is as strong and improving all the time by making sure that we protect and maintain our assets,
04:13which will provide a good and better service. Again, at the same time, were there any
04:17environmental considerations taken into account during the planning and execution of maintenance?
04:22Yeah, we always have to abide by the MMO licenses and we've ensured and maintained that we've
04:30conducted all our certification to enable that from a marine and from an environmental perspective
04:34that the project's been done in a very safe and environmentally friendly way.
04:39And one last thing I wanted to know from you, how does this project align with Whitelink's
04:44long-term plans for modernization and sustainability? I think this is a next step on
04:50sustainability. The fenders that are going in now, the old fenders that we had were for the older
04:56ships with regards to the same class. All works and all plans we do are based on the assumption
05:02of moving forward with more sustainable vessels, fleet and improving every aspect of the operations.
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