Island-Sky

The vessel was detained in Portsmouth for three days because the bilge valves were not operable remotely from the safety centre; the emergency generator did not start automatically or manually and there were a number of deficiencies which were objective evidence of a serious failure or lack of effectiveness of implementation of the ISM code on board the vessel. Other deficiencies identified were: the machinery spaces in the engine room had oily substances on the deck plating causing dangerous surfaces and there was excessive loose equipment clutter. The hull was corroded adjacent to the waste water tank and sewage tank; watertight door No.2 failed to close; several fire screen doors were obstructed or failed to close; one laundry fire door was wasted and holed and another had temporary plating repairs. Also the bridge wings gyro compass repeaters were showing incorrect readings; the GPS position shown on ECDIS could not be verified with the GPS equipment. The Fire Control Plans did not show the gasoline stowage on Deck 7 and cabin fire door, B15, was fitted with ventilation grills. The vessel was released from detention on 13 May.

The "Island Sky", the largest ship ever to dock in Alderney has left Braye Harbour after a day visit. She berthed at the commercial quay at on May 23, 2011, at 2.40 p.m. and stayed for just over three hours. The redevelopment of the quay has allowed the opportunity to berth smaller cruise ships at the harbour, creating a window of opportunity for the port to increase this business and thereby significantly contribute towards tourism on the island.