Bramble Bank Grounding

February 13, 2015 3:58 pm

The start of this year was far from positive for Land Rover Jaguar. 1,200 of their vehicles were part of the cargo on board the Hoegh Osaka ship that was deliberately grounded on Bramble Bank, between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. The ship had set sail from Southampton, but immediately began to tilt and the Captain steered it into the sandbank in order to prevent a full capsize.

Fortunately the 25 crew members were rescued by RNLI and only one suffered any injuries during the incident. The 51,000 tonne vessel has capacity for 5,400 vehicles, but was only carrying 1,400 for this journey from Southampton to Germany. These are all carefully strapped into the ship to aid stability and to avoid damage to the boat or each other. However, with the ship tilted in an unnatural position, these straps may not be sufficient to prevent vehicle damage.

In such incidents, especially when an extensive salvage operation is required, there is a high risk that the vehicles will be compromised. Even if damage isn’t clearly evident, the manufacturers can’t risk selling the cars as roadworthy. This includes to the second hand or spares market, so they are likely to be written off. The cost of possibly losing such a high volume of Jaguars, Land Rovers, Minis and JCBs will be high for the manufacturers.

There is a 200m exclusion zone around the cargo ship whilst the Marine Incident Investigation Branch and salvage company Svitzer look into the cause and consequence of the grounding. They also need to ensure environmental protection, by minimising the risk of the 500 tonnes of fuel being carried leaking out. This exclusion zone aids the salvage operation and also ensures that none of the cargo is stolen, as has been the case in historic incidents.

Many of the vehicles on board the cargo ship are said to have been destined for the Middle East, where suppliers and customers would have been waiting for their new vehicles to arrive. In addition to the cost of losing the cargo, the manufacturers also need to manage the expectations of buyers and give assurances on when replacement vehicles will be shipped to them. This in turn may have an impact on the production of vehicles for the UK and other markets.

Delays in Delivery

It is not only major incidents such as the grounding of a cargo ship that can cause delays in the production and delivery of new vehicles. It is common that the supply of small, yet essential parts can hold up the production process. There have been examples of delays in the supply chain for windscreen wipers that have resulted in later than expected delivery dates. For both customers and dealerships, these delays can be frustrating and they can impact on the reputation of leading car manufacturers.

4×4 Hire

Whilst they are as at home on the streets of any city, as they are in the most extreme of environments, many people purchase a 4×4 vehicle in order to meet a specific requirement. Customers awaiting a Land Rover from the Hoegh Osaka may have expected delivery in time for an adventurous trip, in order to tow a boat or horsebox to an event or to chauffer business colleagues to executive meetings.

With the perfect balance between luxurious comfort and functional handling, a 4×4 vehicle is ideal for any of these scenarios and many more. Whilst a delay due to an unforeseen incident or an issue with the supply chain may initially seem disastrous, a delay in delivery doesn’t need to completely ruin any plans.

Across the UK and in other global countries, there are profession 4×4 hire companies who maintain a high calibre fleet of vehicles for individuals and companies to hire on a temporary basis. From a weekend package for an adventurous break, to more lengthy durations to transport delegates during a week of events or the family holiday, 4×4 hire can solve your practical requirements and deliver a high quality driving experience.

Whether due to an unexpected delay in the delivery of your 4×4 vehicle, or simply because your usual car is not ideal for a specific journey, 4×4 Vehicle Hire https://4x4vehiclehire.co.uk/ has the solution. With local branches across the UK, we can offer you a convenient and professional service.