it is not the first time that or ....... for the first time

[JACEK1]

Hello again!

It is not the first time (that) sister ships belonging to the same owner have been repaired at the shipyard at the same time.

or

Sister ships belonging to the same owner are not being repaired at the shipyard at the same time for the first time.

Which sentence is better? I would go for the 1st one. I think they mean the same.

Thank you.

 

[probus]

I agree with you. The second is unnatural due to its word order.

 

[tedmc]

The key words are 'not the first time', so they should be placed in front.

not a teacher

 

[SoothingDave]

The second is potentially confusing. Since 2 ships are, indeed, being repaired it seems odd to start a sentence with "two ships are not being repaired..."

It sort of leads the reader in the wrong direction for no good reason.