Welsh docks win pounds 20m deal to refit cruise ship

0 Comments | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Nov 5, 2009

Byline: Robin Turner

SWANSEA DOCKS has clinched a pounds 20m, 300-job contract to refit a luxury cruise ship.

Barry-based Harris Pye won the contract for major engineering work on converting Saga Cruises' newly acquired 18,500-ton The Astoria into the Saga Pearl II.

The ship has been in Swansea Docks since arriving from Gibraltar in September.

Saga bought the vessel at auction to replace the Saga Rose, which is sailing the Mediterranean on her farewell voyage before being retired.

The three-month contract in Swansea will involve the creation of cabin balconies, the installation of a library and an on-board cinema. A galley will be installed to cater for high-class restaurants, and there will also be a new sports deck and a short tennis court.

The ship's main engines will be overhauled and the hull will also be repainted.

But first, Harris Pye have to refurbish the Swansea Dry Docks which closed to major work a decade ago.

Swansea has a rich history of ship repairing. Nine dry docks were built in the Port of Swansea in the 19th century including the Villiers, the Jersey, the Phoenix, Cambrian and the Prince ofWales Dry Dock.

Chris David, technical director of the Harris Pye Group, said yesterday: "We are extremely gratified to win contracts and to see Swansea Dry Dock in use again after 10 years. It's good news to reopen the dock and see it put to good use, and to create quite a number of temporary new jobs which will run through the difficult Christmas period."

Saga Group's chairman, Andrew Goodsell, said: "The multi-million-pound refit will ensure that Saga Pearl II is splendid throughout. With 446 passengers she will have an intimate atmosphere and the quality of service our passengers have come to expect.

"I am delighted we are able to support a British yard, and that in doing so we will help with the regeneration of Swansea Docks."

The work is expected to be completed in time for sea trials in February, and Saga Pearl II is scheduled to leave on her inaugural voyage on March 15.

South-West Maritime History Society member Colin Rees of Mumbles said: "It's wonderful to see new jobs coming back to the docks once again.

"With the addition of the Swansea Cork Ferry coming back and a new fast ferry to Devon, the docks is going to be busier than it's been for years and that can only be good for the economy of Swansea."

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FUTURE VISION: A computergenerated image of the Astoria once it is converted into the Saga Pearl II cruise ship NEW OWNERS: The Astoria cruise ship arrives in Swansea in September. Swansea Dry Dock will be reopened for its refurbishment PICTURE: D Legakis Photography