Portsmouth-based ship support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has successfully completed the annual docking programme for Wightlink’s three Lymington-based Solent ro-pax ferries.

Caedmon, Cenwulf and Cenred were each docked for around two weeks to complete their annual refit and survey work, including a comprehensive machinery package and repainting. It was the first time Wightlink have used FSL’s facilities in seven years and the company’s Marine Director, Captain Bill Frampton, expressed his satisfaction at the way the programme was carried out.

“The work has been first class and we are really pleased. In terms of the quality of work and the fact that the vessels were delivered on time, FSL has fully met our expectations,” he commented.

Besides the three Lymington ships, FSL also hosted the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route vessel St. Faith for an emergency dry docking to repair her Voith Schneider propulsion units. In addition, FSL is expecting to receive the ro-ro passenger vessel St. Clare, also based in Portsmouth, for routine inspection of the hull and some maintenance work to be undertaken in the near future.

With the closure of A&P’s dry dock in Southampton, FSL is hoping to re-establish itself as the preferred South Coast shiprepair location for Solent ferries, adding to its Royal Navy ship support activities.

Engineering Director Mal Lewis commented: “We have demonstrated our increased capability through the successful docking of the Wightlink ships. We hope to build on this by retaining the new clients and attracting further ferry operators to this first class engineering support facility we have here in Portsmouth Naval Base.”