SUPERSEACAT THREE resumes on the Liverpool weekend route on Thursday 24th February with Liverpool to Douglas at 20.30.

There are some changes in the LADY OF MANN's few midweek sailings mid February and obviously she will "retire" earlier than had been previously scheduled.

From Sunday 12^th March SSC3 will leave Liverpool at 18.00 and return from Douglas at 21.15 instead of overnighting in IOM.

From Friday 24 March SSC3 will sail virtually DAILY at these times until the end of September.

SEACAT ISLE OF MAN commences operations on the route on Thursday 24^th March her normal timings being Douglas to Liverpool at 07.00 and Liverpool to Douglas at 10.30 (i.e. 30 mins earlier than previously).

SCIOM will then operate virtually daily (except Sundays) until 30 October. SCIOM will do Sunday morning sailings as well from June 15 onwards to end of Sept.

The basic October schedule has both SSC3 and SCIOM operating Friday / Saturday /Sunday /Monday whereas Tuesday / Wednesday /Thursday are SCIOM only EXCEPT that Fri 27^th is SSC3 only and Monday 30th is SCIOM only.

In November the schedule reverts to SSC3 only departing Liverpool at 20.30 Thursday to Sunday returning next morning from Douglas at 07.00. This runs through to Jan 8 but with an extra trip on 20/21 Dec in lieu of 24/25.

Douglas to Dublin and Belfast

The basic timings will be Douglas to Dublin 14.00 and Dublin to Douglas at 16.45 on Tuesday / Thursday and Saturday from 30^th March 2000.

On those Saturdays where SCIOM goes to Heysham in the afternoon the timings will be Douglas to Dublin at 19.30 returning at 23.00.

There are also a few Friday evening Douglas to Dublin rotations mid season on these timings and there will also be some Sunday IOM>Dub day trips early in the season - i.e. before the Sunday Belfast trips start late April.

Douglas to Belfast operates 16.00 and back at 19.30 Sundays and Wednesdays from late April with extras in the peak period.

TT Races

It looks as if the basic plot is as before: i.e. to run the BEN-MY-CHREE and the LADY OF MANN on the Heysham route and the fast craft on Liverpool. There is no sign on the schedule for an extra conventional vessel (e.g. CLAYMORE) to operate. There are only two fast craft workings out of Heysham in the TT period 12.15 on Fri 2^nd June and 22.30 the following evening (which could possibly be worked by SUPERSEACAT TWO). There is also one Douglas to Heysham at 00.30 on Sunday 11^th June.

Notes:

Day excursion fares are reduced from £25 to £20 until 30^th April and from 1^st October.

Footloose fares remain at £16 single until the end of Mach but then increase to £19 for the remainder of the year.

Other special fares have changed a little - most short break ones are up £10 for car+2 - but some have not increased  at all.

JHL'S COMMENT:

Though the announcement of a reduction in sailings from Liverpool to Dublin has made time ashore day trips in the Irish capital  impossible in 2000, the much more imaginative timetable on the Isle of Man routes will open the island to day excursionists from Merseyside on almost every day of the week for almost eight months of the year. This move is something, which must surely be welcomed. If these day trip facilities are actively marketed it should be of immense benefit to the Manx tourist industry which has been for long bemoaning the decline not only of staying visitors but also the day excursionist. Let's hope its a success for all concerned.

CENARGO IRISH SEA FERRIES

SAGA MOON has been operating on the Liverpool to Belfast service in place of NORSE LAGAN. On Tuesday 23^rd November, NORSE LAGAN was noted laid up out of service in Canada Dock. By Friday morning NORSE LAGAN was in Canada Graving Dock receiving attention from Wright and Beyers.

A visit to the dock on Saturday 27^th November saw work underway on NORSE LAGAN's aft bow thruster, stern ramp, plus hull repairs and partial repainting and touching up. [Photographs will be on-line in the next few weeks.]

DAWN MERCHANT: It was noted when travelling on DAWN MERCHANT this week that outside park bench style seating has been fitted on decks 7 and 8 in the sheltered area to the rear of the accommodation block. This is a very welcome move, which I am sure, will be appreciated by passengers on fine days. Presumably similar seating has also been fitted to BRAVE MERCHANT.

CUNARD

Further details have emerged this week with regard to the renaming of the VISTAFIJORD. The vessel will arrive on the Mersey late on the evening of 9^th December, direct from refit in Hamburg.

The vessel will be renamed CARONIA by the Deputy Prime Minister the Rt.Hon. John Prescott MP on Friday 10^th December. The choice of Mr. Prescott appears appropriate as he began is working life as a Cunard steward.

The renaming is going to be a major public event with some famous names present from show business and the arts. Also present will be a choir and orchestra and the renaming ceremony will conclude with a firework display.

Though Cunard was based in Liverpool between 1840 and 1967, this is the first time a ship belonging to the company has been named here.

Mr. Prescott will be accompanied during the naming by Madeline Arison, wife of Mr. Michael Arison chairman of the parent company Carnival Cruise Lines.

Liverpool artist Ted Walker will present Mr. Prescott with a paining of the FRANCONIA. The renaming will take place at the Pier Head at 16.00. Notable guests at the renaming are expected to include Judith Chalmers, Beryl Bainbridge, Valerie Singleton, Peter Sissons, Terry Waite, Alan Whicker, Sir John Mills, and Sir Jimmy Saville. Lord Lichfield, P.D. James, Sir Bernard Ingham and Lorraine Kelly.

The ship will be blessed and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, accompanied by a representative of the Archbishop of Liverpool, Patrick Kelly who is unable to attend.

It is reported that for the first time Cunard will use a bottle of British as opposed to Australian wine for the naming ceremony. AS the bottle is released against the ship's bow, the Cunard flag will fall away and the ship's new name CARONIA will be revealed. At the same time fireworks will be released from the liner's foredeck and the roof of the Cunard Building at the Pier Head.

The bells of Our Lady and St. Nicholas, the Liverpool Parish Church, will peal whilst a 20 piece Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will accompany a choir of 20 singers to perform Beethoven's Choral Symphony "Ode to Joy". This will be followed by other music including "Land of Hope and Glory", "Rule Britannia", as well as seasonal music and carols.

The CARONIA will then depart on a coastal cruise to Southampton, where on her arrival the next day, passengers will transfer to the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 for dinner.

VISTAFJORD will become the third vessel to carry the name CARONIA. .

PRINCE ALBERT

Local press reports suggest that the former Yugoslav passenger and cargo ship PRINCE ALBERT has been given its marching orders from Canning Dock adjacent to the Albert Dock complex. It is suggested that the vessel will be given until the New Year to leave the berth she has occupied since June. A Ukrainian, Captain George Kahnenko owns the ship. He had hoped to open the vessel as a restaurant/bar during the late summer. Work was being undertaken on the vessel by a number of Ukrainians, however, these were deported some months ago.

JHL'S COMMENT: The presence of the PRINCE ALBERT has certainly added to the maritime flavour of Canning Dock. Apart from the preserved Mersey flat and a few small boats all from the Merseyside Maritime Museum collection the dock basin remains empty for much of the year; with just the occasional visiting vessel being berthed there for a few days. The PRINCE ALBERT is an attractive looking vessel and really should be allowed to stay in the dock. As she was brought to Merseyside under tow, it is presumed that she cannot operate under her own power.

MCTAY MARINE

The Wirral based ship builder McTay Marine launched the first of three Royal Navy ferries it is building on Thursday this week.

Bromborough-based McTay Marine launched the 28-metre MV OBAN into the Mersey. The vessel, to be used to transfer personnel and equipment from naval bases to ships, was then towed to Birkenhead's Vittoria Dock for completion.

The OBAN enters Navy service on the Clyde in July 2000. McTay Marine, saved from closure by a management take-over in 1994, earlier secured a contract with Serco Denholm Shipping who operate RMA vessels on behalf of the MoD to build three craft.

The OBAN is the ninth new vessel to be constructed at the yard, where more than 100 people are now employed.

McTay boss Mike Brodie said the firm was confident of securing more orders. He said: "We class ourselves as a small to medium shipyard. We are limited in the size of vessels we can build, because of the size of our yard. "We look to specialised contracts and we have our own departments to handle every part of construction from design to fitting out."

CAMMELL LAIRD

The EDINBURGH CASTLE, acquired by Cammell Laird from the liquidators of Lowline, is to be chartered to Premier Cruises of the USA. The vessel is currently being refitted at Cammell Laird's Tyneside yard. EDINBURGH CASTLE will be renamed BIG RED BOAT II in April 2000, with its first cruises departing in May. Commenting on the charter, Jon Schofield, finance director of Cammell Laird said: "The charter is part of the group's strategy to offer fully integrated marine services from sourcing though to sale and charter.

The Cammell Laird site has been identified as one of two shipyards short listed to construct the next generation of aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. Due to enter service in 2012, the new 40,000 tonne warships will be twice the size of the present invincible class carriers. Cammell Laird's partner in the bid is the French company Thompson CSF. Each of the short listed yards can bid to build one or both of the carriers. Jon Schofield Cammell Laird's finance directory said: "It's absolutely great news. It’s a very sizeable project and we're very pleased. Inevitably jobs would follow from this project."

Drilling vessel PEREGRINE VII has finally left the yard after a major two and a half-year rebuilt. P&OSL PROVENCE remains in dry dock.

IRISH NAVAL SERVICE

21 NOVEMBER 1999

Welcome again to the latest M&ISS update. As well as the news bulletins, don't forget to check out the What's New page to ensure you don't miss any of the other updates which include several more gallery pages. 

SEA CONTAINERS

LADY OF MANN: The Lady is believed to have spent a few days in dry dock during the past week. Next summer, apart from her TT schedules and a number of special excursions, it is understood that she will only be on stand by, with additional services between Heysham and Douglas provided by a SeaCat.

LIVERPOOL TERMINAL

The linkspan pontoon has been relocated to its original more southerly position this week. It had been moved further north this year to allow two vessels to berth at the stage. However, on Friday 10^th December the Cunard Line's VISTAFIJORD will berth at the Landing Stage to be renamed CARONIA consequently additional berthing space will be required necessitating the repositioning of the linkspan.

ARGYLL & ANTRIM by Gary Andrews

Fears concerning the future of the Argyll and Antrim Steam Packet Company's Campbeltown - Ballycastle service have been increased following a series of revelations by the Herald that parent company Sea Containers has already "sold" the route's ferry, the CLAYMORE.

Sea Containers is currently reviewing the Campbeltown - Ballycastle service which only began on 30 June 1997 and an announcement is already overdue as to whether it will continue to run it. Minister of State at the Scottish Office Brian Wilson is due to meet Sea Containers soon and he was reported as saying on 18 November:

"The basic question for Sea Containers is whether they intend to continue with the route or not."

A spokesman for Sea Containers said:

"As a commercial company ourselves, we are empathetic to the fact that people wish to hear a decision soon. We will make an announcement when our present discussions have been concluded."

Former Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Forsyth forced Caledonian MacBrayne to sell the CLAYMORE to Sea Containers to ensure that the new service was a private sector operation, despite more than £8m worth of public money being invested in it. The ferry was sold again last December to a leasing company for an undisclosed sum, and is now being leased back.

Sea Containers' London office initially denied to the Herald that there had been any sale of the CLAYMORE, but a spokeswoman for the Shipping Registry in Cardiff confirmed to the newspaper:

"Since 21 December 1998, the registered owner of the CLAYMORE has been ING Lease, a London-based company. Caledonian MacBrayne had sold it to another subsidiary of Sea Containers on 1 May 1997."

As suggested by the above quote (and subsequently probed by the Herald) it has emerged that it was not Sea Containers which became registered owner of the vessel on 1 May 1997, nor any of its better known subsidiaries, but a company called Blue Grove. A spokesman for Sea Containers confirmed that Blue Grove had been a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on 23 April 1997.

The Scottish Executive answering for the previous Scottish Office refused to comment on the sale, apart from saying:

"The CLAYMORE was sold to Blue Grove at the request of Sea Containers. Questions over the ownership are a matter for the operators to answer."

Returning to the issue of the sale to ING Lease, a spokesman for Sea Containers subsequently agreed with the newspaper that the CLAYMORE had indeed been sold to a leasing company but insisted:

"You can't read anything into this, or the timing of it. It is a normal commercial arrangement, which is comparable to you getting a mortgage on your house. It does not only apply to the CLAYMORE. There are other vessels of ours subject to the same arrangement."

The spokesman declined to say how many other vessels had been sold or what Sea Containers had received from ING for the CLAYMORE. ING, in turn, referred all enquiries to Sea Containers.

Bruce Urquhart of the Kintyre Marketing Group, which represents over 100 small businesses on the peninsula, said on the issue:

Argyll and Bute MSP George Lyon, however, believes the Scottish Office should have taken a closer interest in who would actually own the vessel, telling the Herald:

"I find it quite offensive that a public asset like the CLAYMORE was sold, at what I understand was a ridiculously reduced price, to a private concern which has been registered on the other side of the world to avoid paying tax to the British public. I do not, however, blame Sea Containers. They were not breaking any law and flagging out is a perfectly common, if regrettable, commercial practice. It is quite extraordinary, however, that the Scottish Office did not insist that the new owners of the vessel should be registered in the UK and that any profit from the vessel's subsequent sale would be returned to the Exchequer."

Mr Lyon said he was also calling on the Scottish Executive to instruct CalMac to investigate the feasibility of running the Campbeltown - Ballycastle service should Sea Containers withdraw. But he said he was still deeply troubled by the fact that CalMac's present chairman Harold Mills was the same man whose department was responsible for the sale of the CLAYMORE in 1997. Mr Lyon said:

"Did he support CalMac's ferry being sold to a flag of convenience? Did he support the blocking of CalMac's interest in the service? I have tabled questions, but have yet to receive a reply."

The Scottish Executive, however, has told the "Herald" that officials' advice remains confidential.

SEA CONTAINERS ROUTE NEWS by Gary Andrews

Sea Containers has announced carryings of 125,000 passengers and 34,000 vehicles in the first six months of its Heysham to Belfast service following the launch of the route in March this year. The SEACAT DANMARK has operated the four-hour crossing this year and it seems very likely the SUPERSEACAT TWO for the 2000 season will replace her.

Diane Poole, General Manager Northern Ireland Services, said:

BOADICEA

The luxury yacht BOADICEA noted arriving in the Mersey last Saturday  departed from her berth at Vittoria Dock on 21st November, For more information of this interesting vessel please check out the WHAT'S NEW section.

CUNARD

SS UNITED STATES

I received the following message in my mailbox this week from Rich Rabbett concerning an attempt to save the transatlantic liner UNITED STATES:

PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL by Gary Andrews

EUROPEAN TRADER visited Harland and Wolff, Belfast on the weekend of 13 - 14 November to get her "cow-catcher" raised to allow her to dock at the Number 2 (JETLINER) berth at Cairnryan. The vessel is understood to have re-entered service on the Larne - Cairnryan route with her 13.30 sailing ex Larne on 15 November. 

CAIRNRYAN TERMINAL UPDATE

The shell of the new P&O terminal at Cairnryan is pretty much complete and it looks impressive. The process of "building" the inside is expected to begin soon with the terminal due to open in spring 2000. Meanwhile, the main conventional ferry berth (Number 1 berth) is currently being lengthened to accommodate P&O's new ro-pax ferry due to enter service next summer. As a result of the work at the berth it would appear that ferries docking at the berth will have to take extreme care and it seems likely that this could lead to additional disruption in poor weather conditions. (One wonders why this work was not carried out during the more favourable conditions of spring and summer, instead of it commencing in September).

JETLINER CREW: P&O European Ferries has recently been advertising for "Cabin" crew for the JETLINER. Those successful will be employed by P&O subsidiary "Pentmarine (1982) Ltd."

MAINTENANCE PERIODS

On 14 November the EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR operated the schedule of the EUROPEAN PIONEER. It appears to have become a regular pattern that the EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR will be used to give the EUROPEAN PIONEER and EUROPEAN SEAFARER a day off the Fleetwood - Larne route every other weekend, presumably to allow for maintenance.

STENA LINE THIRD QUARTER RESULTS by Gary Andrews

Stena Line this week released third quarter results with a forecast that management expects that the net loss for 1999 could exceed the net loss in 1998. EBITDA for 1999 is currently forecast to be approximately SEK 650 million. However, Stena's finances do show evidence of recovery with the news that the loss before income taxes improved to SEK 18 million from a loss of SEK 115 million. The loss for the 12-month period, ending September 30, 1999, amounts to SEK 227 million.

Results for the third quarter are as follows.

Revenue fell by SEK 432 million or 16%, to SEK 2,275 million compared to SEK 2,707 million for the same period in 1998. The fall in revenue in the third quarter is mainly due to the reduction in onboard retail sales following the abolition of tax and duty free retail sales within the EU. Exchange rate fluctuations had a negative impact of SEK 6 million.

Revenue in Scandinavia dropped by SEK 188 million to SEK 1,061 million compared to SEK 1,249 million in the same period in 1998. Revenue in the UK fell by SEK 244 million to SEK 1,214 million compared to SEK 1,458 million in 1998.

Freight/Port revenue increased by 1% to SEK 522 million from SEK 515 million in 1998. Average freight rates rose 13% in Scandinavia and 5% in the UK. Freight volumes fell 8% in Scandinavia and 5% in the UK.

Onboard revenue fell by SEK 352 million or 39% to SEK 552 million from SEK 904 million in 1998. The abolition of tax and duty free retail sales significantly impacted passenger spending. Average retail spending per passenger fell to SEK 136 from SEK 216 in Scandinavia and to SEK 48 from SEK 148 in the UK. In addition other onboard revenue declined as a result of lower passenger volumes.

Passenger revenue decreased by SEK 87 million or 7% to SEK 1,201 million from SEK 1,288 million in 1998. Average passenger ticket rates increased by 19% in Scandinavia, due to a combination of increased prices and a change in passenger mix. Average increase in ticket rates in the UK was 2%. The lower rate of increase in the UK was due to severe competition on the Irish Sea.

Volumes fell 12% for passengers and 3% for private cars during the third quarter compared to the third quarter 1998, excluding the closed Halmstad-Grenaa route. Passenger volumes fell by 17% in Scandinavia and 8% in the UK. Stena's Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire route has been particularly badly affected by a decline in passenger numbers with 1,132,000 passengers carried January - September 1999 compared to 1,399,000 January - September 1998.

Operating expenses fell by SEK 161 million or 8%, to SEK 1,871 million from SEK 2,032 million, primarily as a result of the reduction in retails goods sold following the abolition of tax and duty free retail sales within the EU. Exchange rate fluctuations had a positive impact of SEK 3 million.

Income from associated companies amounted to SEK 74 million compared to SEK 81 million in 1998. Stena Line's 40% share of P&O Stena Line's income was SEK 73 million compared to SEK 80 million in 1998. No dividends were received from P&O Stena Line in either period.

Income from operations totalled SEK 332 million compared to SEK 546 million in 1998.

For full details of Stena's latest financial report see:
http://www.stenaline.com/Group/Stena_Line_Group/Press_Releases/.

 SPECULATION

There is growing that Stena may move their Belfast - Stranraer HSS service to the new Port Glasgow development by Clydeport. Rumours of a Holyhead shift have also resumed in recent months as has speculation of the company moving it's conventional ferries from Belfast to Larne.

HARLAND & WOLFF by Gary Andrews

Raymond Burrows reports that the Semi-submersible Oil Rig, BORGLAND DOLPHIN departed Harland & Wolff on the late afternoon of 12 November. As it was of course dark at that time of the day, observations were limited to the customary illumination display as the rig proceeded down the Lough. Mooring at mouth of the Lough by mid-evening, it was then observed during the 13 and 14 November as various manoeuvres were carried out. By 16.35 on 14 November the rig was not readily visible and may well have finally left Belfast Lough for good. Visit Raymond's Belfast Lough Shipping website at http://website.lineone.net/~rayburrows/.

HARLAND AND WOLFF DISPUTE RESOLVED

Harland and Wolff has won a reprieve from its financial difficulties after a campaign to save it including the personal intervention of Northern Ireland talks chairman George Mitchell. Problems at the shipyard arose following a dispute over who should pay for £130m of extra work on two oil drilling ships ordered by the Texan company Global Marine. As negotiations got under way between the US firm and the yard's financial backers, a political campaign was mounted to save Harland and Wolff, led by senior politicians. It has now emerged that this campaign at one point involved former US senator George Mitchell, who had been chairing talks on Northern Ireland's political future.

It is not known how important the political pressure was but the shipyard has now said that it has reached an agreement with Global Marine that should secure its immediate future. In a joint statement Harland and Wolff, Global Marine and the shipyard unions said a deal had been struck to complete the two drill ships at the centre of the dispute. The statement says that all parties will now work together to ensure the timely and efficient completion of the vessels. The yard will now have breathing space whilst it searches for work to fill its empty order book.

LIVERPOOL NAUTICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

The LNRS December Bulletin has been published. The leading article in this edition is "The Loss of the ELLAN VANNIN" by Ron Evans. The article coincides with the 90^th Anniversary of the loss of the IoMSPCo ELLAN VANNIN near the Mersey Bar in a violent storm on 3^rd December 1909. The vessel being en-route to Liverpool from Ramsey.

IRISH NAVAL SERVICE

LE CIARA was involved in a major drugs seizure 6 miles off Fastnet Rock on Wednesday 17^th November. An armed boarding part seized the converted 70-ft trawler POSIDONIA and arrested Britons. The former trawler was then taken to Schull, west Cork where it was subject to a detailed search by Gardaí and the Customs National Drugs Team.

21 November 1999

14 NOVEMBER 1999

NOTES & NEWS

This week things have been much quieter on the news front, rather like the weather! However, I would like to thank the various correspondents for forwarding additional material which had provided the usual diverse range of news reports from both the Mersey and Irish Sea as well as further a field.

SEA CONTAINERS

SEACAT SCOTLAND On 6 November SeaCat Scotland cancelled the 07.00 Belfast - Heysham sailing and 08.00 sailing to Troon and replaced both sailings with a sailing at 08.00 to Stranraer. The SEACAT SCOTLAND was observed at SeaCat's Belfast lay-by berth with maintenance ongoing and it would appear that the Stranraer sailings were an attempt to get all passengers moving. SEACAT DANMARK arrived back in Belfast from Stranraer at around 11.45 and then operated a further roundtrip to Stranraer before being seen on the berth at 17.50 preparing to operate her 18.15 ex Belfast roundtrip to Troon. It is understood the SEACAT SCOTLAND sailed as scheduled to Stranraer at 18.30. During the past week SeaCat Belfast sailings appear to be running to schedule with many sailings departing and arriving earlier than published times. However loadings appear to have been relatively light of late.

HOVERSPEED REPORT NEWHAVEN - DIEPPE SUCCESS by Gary Andrews

Hoverspeed has released results for the first six months of operation of its Newhaven to Dieppe SUPERSEACAT TWO service.

Since the service was launched on 23 April this year, Hoverspeed has carried 285,000 passengers and 70,000 vehicles between the East Sussex port and Dieppe in Normandy. The service continues to the end of the year, with daily departures on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

David Stafford, Hoverspeed's Newhaven-based route manager, said: "These figures are tremendous news for the ferry service from Newhaven and confirm the continuing popularity of this route with cross-Channel travellers. Hoverspeed has demonstrated that by operating a reliable fast car ferry, with high levels of customer service, the route can compete
effectively with the short sea crossings."

Hoverspeed is pledging further new investments for the 2000 season, including a new 1st class lounge onboard, which will double capacity. It is understood the SUPERSEACAT TWO will be transferred to the Heysham - Belfast route in spring 2000 and will be replaced at Newhaven with the SUPERSEACAT FOUR. Work will be undertaken during the SUPERSEACAT Two's annual refit early in the New Year to fit a new computerised ride control system.

It is rumoured that the SEACAT DANMARK will be used on the Dover - Calais route next summer, to allow the charter or sale of the ATLANTIC II.

SEA CONTAINERS THIRD QUARTER SUCCESS.

Sea Containers this week announced its results for the third quarter and nine months ended 30 September 1999. For the quarter net income was up 24% over the year earlier period to $25.8 million. For the nine months net income was up 36% to $52.6 million (excluding the effect of a compulsory accounting rule change amounting to a non-recurring charge of $12.3 million in the first quarter). Revenue was up 8% to $989 million.

Mr James B. Sherwood, President, said that the passenger transport division (ferries, rail and ports) operating income in the third quarter had increased 35% over the year earlier period to $37.2 million. The improvement came primarily from ferries and in particular from the company's 50% shareholding in Neptun Maritime Oyj. Earnings from rail were flat compared with 1998 due to the large subsidy reduction in the current year.

Mr Sherwood indicated that the cessation of duty free sales on Anglo-Republic of Ireland, Anglo-French, Anglo-Belgian and Swedish-Danish routes effective 1 July resulted in a significant drop in profitability in the month of July, implying that day trippers had stocked up the previous month. Day-trippers returned to the company's ferries on the Anglo-French and Anglo-Belgian routes in August and September. The company has expanded its shore side shops in Belgium and France and passenger fares were increased to cover the reduction in profits from on-board duty free sales. On the Liverpool - Dublin route sailing frequencies have been reduced and on the Sweden-Denmark route midweek sailings have been introduced on Sweden-Norway where duty free sales are still permitted. Also, capacity will be reduced in 2000.

IRISH FERRIES

JONATHAN SWIFT has returned to service between Dublin and Holyhead, having departed from Canada Dry Dock, Liverpool during the week. The photographs of the JONATHAN SWIFT in dry dock should be available on M&ISS next weekend. 

PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION CO

EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR substituted for the EUROPEAN SEAFARER on the Fleetwood - Larne route on the morning of 7 September.

BOADICEA - A MERSEY VISITOR

On Saturday 13 November an interesting vessel entered the Mersey. She passed the Crosby bend at around 11.25.

All I have been able to ascertain so far is that she is a private yacht belonging to an Australian millionaire. BODICEA is certainly an impressive vessel for a yacht. If anyone has any further information I would be pleased to receive it.

PHILIP shipyard, up stream from Dartmouth closed on 1^st October 1999. The yard has been birthplace to a number of well-known vessels including the Mersey Ferries WOODCHURCH and MOUNTWOOD. The company are also operators of the Diesel Paddle Vessel PHILIP that runs the Dartmouth Higher Vehicle Ferry. The company has not ceased trading and may develop the shipyard site as part of an adjacent Marina.

CONDOR FERRIES

Once again TranzRail is chartering a Condor vessel for the summer season. In the past the vessel concerned was CONDOR 10, which on a number of occasions was given a pre-charter refit on Merseyside. This year CONDOR VITESSE was chartered. However, the vessel was refitted at A&P's Falmouth Yard prior to charter.

LIVERPOOL PILOT SERVICE - ARNOT ROBINSON

Geoff. Hamer writes that the former Liverpool Pilot Cutter ARNET ROBINSON is still in existence. She now operates as a passenger vessel the FATIH in Turkey.

The Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire Link group this week outlined its plans to match the skills of Wales' unemployed to the thousands of vacancies in Ireland at a meeting in Dublin, with the intention that Welsh workers would commute to Ireland daily by ferry. Talks are understood to have taken place with Stena Line for cut-price commuter fares on its HSS service.

SILLANPAA OY

The blue and white Finnish rock laying ship VILLE was a familiar sight on the River Mersey during the first half of 1998 when she was engaged in the construction of new groynes along the Wallasey side of the river.

COMMISSIONERS OF THE IRISH LIGHTS

A news item which was overlooked a couple of months ago has just surfaced:

STENA LINE by Gary Andrews

Due to technical problems with the conventional ferry berth at Stranraer, Stena have been forced to make some alterations to conventional ferry sailing times to allow for maintenance. It is anticipated that the required maintenance will take approximately 2 weeks. During this period ex Stranraer the 12.30 sailing will depart at 12.00 and the 22.10 at 21.30, ex Belfast the 17.45 departure becomes a 16.30 departure and the 02.20 is departing at 02.00. On 11 November the STENA GALLOWAY's 08.00 sailing from Belfast and 12.00 sailing from Stranraer were cancelled. There seemed to be little freight 'stranded' by the cancellation - obviously most being accommodated on the 07.40 STENA VOYAGER sailing to Stranraer. It is not clear of the reason for the STENA GALLOWAY's cancellations.

NETHERLANDS NAVAL VISITOR TO MERSEYSIDE

Submarines are infrequent visitors to Merseyside, so it was interesting to hear from Sara Cass that a submarine had been seen making its way up Crosby Channel on Friday Morning.

NUMAST is pressing for new employment opportunities for UK officers following Cenargo International's acquisition last month of Norse Irish Ferries.

There will be a change of venue for WSS Merseyside Branch meetings as from the next meeting due to be held on 14^th December.

CAMMELL LAIRD

P&OSL PROVENCE arrived on the Mersey early on Tuesday evening, 9^th November. She waited off Cammell Laird for the tide before entering dry dock shortly before midnight.

14 November 1999

07 NOVEMBER 1999

M&ISS NOTES & NEWS

Welcome to another week's News Bulletin which comprises just part of a major update to the site. Please ensure you check out the "What's New" section to  ensure you do not miss any of the numerous additions and updates. I have also  included an illustrated account of my trip to the Isles of Scilly, which is of course a location of great nautical interest. Next week I will also have an illustrated voyage report from a trip on board the Scillonian sailing vessel PETTIFOX. I had intended to have this ready as well for this update but there was just insufficient time.

Again I have received many contributions from readers, of particular interest is Adrian Sweeney's P&O Liverpool - Dublin - Liverpool voyage report and also material from Barto Arnold of the USA on an interesting John Laird built Liverpool - Rhyl steamer PS DENBIGH which went on to serve as a CSA blockade-runner. Don't forget to visit DENBIGH website, details can be found in this Bulletin. There are also contributions from Philip Parker {Manxman and B&I Jet Foil] along with new gallery pages from  myself featuring the PRIDE OF RATHLIN at Birkenhead and the Douglas lifeboat RNLB Sir William Hillary.

Once again weather disrupted sailings amongst some of the changes on 5th and 6th November:

At Belfast the 07.00 to Heysham and 08.00 to Troon were cancelled and replaced by a 0800 sailing to Stranraer.

SEACAT SCOTLAND was seen at the lay-by berth at Belfast with work obviously taking place - suggesting that with her gone technical it made sense to send the SEACAT DANMARK to Stranraer.

SEACAT DANMARK arrived in Belfast around 11.45 and probably did a roundtrip to Stranraer being back on the berth when Gary Andrews passed by at 17.50 when She was noted being loaded to presumably operate her scheduled Troon roundtrip.

LADY OF MANN operated the 21.00 Liverpool to Douglas sailing on Friday 5th November, the 07.30 Douglas to Liverpool sailing on Saturday 6th November, before sailing again at 13.00 to Dublin with the delayed SUPERSEACAT THREE 11.00 sailing. The Lady also operated the return working from Dublin. After discharging she headed back to her berth at Alexandra Dock, Liverpool to
await her next spell of bad weather duty.

SUPERSEACAT THREE spent most of Saturday 6th November at Prince's Landing Stage, though with an improvement in weather conditions she was able to sail on the 21.00 to Douglas.

SUPERSEACAT THREE the ship is to be turned into a floating VIP lounge for Liverpool's Millennium night celebrations.

The ship will become an annexe the Cream celebration at the Pier Head, doubling as a back stage area for performers and special guests.

On the rear deck of the SuperSeaCat, it is expected that BBC Radio One will broadcast a live show, while events will also be filmed by Sky TV .

Celebrities will include Zoe Ball, Pete Tong, Fat Boy Slim, The Stereophonics and the Lightning Seeds.

SuperSeaCat communications manager Simon Dey said: "We are providing the main hospitality area along side the landing stage for what promises to be a star-studded event. One of the bars is being turned into  a special champagne bar just for the night. The radio people are keen to broadcast from the deck and we expect TV  cameras too."

"It will be the hottest ticket around"

SSC3 will be making a round trip to Dublin on 31st December. It will not be in use on New Year's day, with sailings recommencing on 2nd January.

DIAMANT was out of service from the Dover - Calais route between 1 and 3  November whilst the craft underwent maintenance work at Ostend. (Vans were seen  near the craft belonging to engineering companies Burgess and Ruston). ATLANTIC  II operated in place of the DIAMANT on the Dover - Calais route.

BELARD: Though it is almost two years since the former Isle of Man Steam Packet  vessel was sold, it is reported that she has now commenced a bareboat charter  to Bergen Trailer Line on their Stavanger - Bergen route. The vessel departed  on 18 October having been laid up in the Danishport of Sonderborg since June having previously operated between Aabenraa, Denmark and Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Hoverspeed is to pioneer ticket-less travel from 14 November on its cross-Channel services from Dover to Calais and Ostend, Folkestone to Boulogne and Newhaven to Dieppe. Hoverspeed is the first ferry operator in the UK to introduce ticket-less travel, which the operator claims will speed up check-in procedures.

From 14 November, Hoverspeed passengers booking direct with the operator by telephone will receive an invoice that will also act as their travel itinerary/confirmation document. Passengers booking with travel agents, or at the port on the day of travel, will be given a booking reference to quote at check-in.

At the same time, Hoverspeed is also introducing a new design of boarding card to meet new passenger registration requirements that come into force on 1 January 2000. This requires the name, address, and sex of all passengers to be recorded. Geoffrey Ede, Hoverspeed Managing director, said:

"From the passengers' perspective, ticket-less travel means less paperwork to worry about and faster check-in procedures. Together with recent investments in new check-in facilities at the International Hoverport in Dover, and the fastest crossing times on the Channel, Hoverspeed is set to enter the new Millennium well and truly in the fast lane."

CAMPBELTOWN ISSUE RAISED IN COMMONS.

On 2 November the Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute (the constituency which includes Campbeltown), Mrs Ray Michie, outlined to the House of Commons the question mark hanging over the Campbeltown - Ballycastle route. The debate had to be held at Westminster, as ferry services are a reserved matter outside the remit of the Scottish Parliament.

Sea Containers are reviewing their involvement in the route causing much worry on both sides of the North Channel. Sea Containers believe that without some kind of state subsidy the service has no long-term future. The firm has held talks with the Scottish Executive and is expected to have talks with the Northern Ireland Office soon prior to making an announcement.

Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson gave a personal commitment to do all he could to save the threatened ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. During the Commons debate, Mr Wilson told MPs that if the Scotland Office could play a part in finding a solution it would be more than willing to do so and added: "I offer a personal commitment to work towards the successful outcome that we all want."

Mr Wilson asserted that for the service to finish after receiving œ8 million of investment would not be sound finance, and that it needed to be considered that it was a niche service.

Liberal Democrat, Ray Michie, who secured the debate, argued that the service was vital and argued that the withdrawal of the service to two such economically fragile communities would be "indefensible". She suggested the Government should look at the possibility of Caledonian MacBrayne providing the service, should the Sea Containers pull out

STENA AWARDS: At the recent Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards Stena Line has been awarded the accolade of "Best Ferry/Shipping Company". This is the seventh time Stena has won the award in the eight years of the event, P&O European Ferries having won the award in 1996. Stena also picked up the award for the "Best Northern Ireland Marketing Initiative" for their Inbound Belfast day trips. The awards, mainly voted for by travel agents, are organised by travel newspaper Northern Ireland Travel and Leisure News which now has a website at www.nitravelnews.com.

CALEDONIA PROBLEMS: The STENA CALEDONIA suffered technical problems this week.  On 3 November the vessel's 06.30 sailing ex Stranraer and 02.20 and 10.30 sailings ex Belfast were cancelled (there may have been other sailings cancelled on 2 November). The vessel was seen at Stena's Belfast lay-by berth at around 10.20 however she had sailed by around 14.00 suggesting that her 10.30 sailing operated delayed or light.

LATE STENA NEWS:

STENA LYNX III arrived at Alfred Lock, Birkenhead on Sunday 7th November and proceeded to a berth on the north side of the West Float, near to Wright and Beyer's Bidston Dry Dock. Fast craft sailings between Fishguard and Rosslare will resume on 28th November after the completion of the annual refit.

ALTNAMARA SHIPPING

HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS - the small cruise ship arrived at Liverpool on Friday and berthed at the south berth on Prince's Landing Stage, which has been used this year by the LADY OF MANN and also SEACAT ISLE OF MAN. The HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS was formerly Cal-Macs COLUMBA. The vessel is currently en-route for her annual refit at Great Yarmouth, calling at Liverpool, Poole, Dover and London for travel agents visits. She had been scheduled to sail at 07.00 on 6th November, however, this was delayed until later in the morning due to the adverse weather conditions.

COASTAL CONTAINER LINE

On Monday night 1st November, a Coastal Container Line vessel sailing from Liverpool to Dublin, lost four 30ft containers overboard. Whilst three containers are still missing, one container has washed up at Bradda Head, Port Erin, Isle of Man. The container has been breached and its contents washed up on beaches.

The contents are a consignment of Ambrosia Creamed Rice! The coastguard has advised the public that taking goods from the container was illegal and anything removed should be handed to the police. Similar warnings were issued on the Isles of Scilly when the container vessel CITA grounded and lost its entire load of containers. The diverse contents of CITA's containers where greatly appreciated by the Scillonians!

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, proprietors of the Coastal Container Line said that the containers removal would be organised as soon as possible, though they were not aware of the number of cans were in the container of their value.

ESTONIAN SHIPPING COMPANY

Two of this company's vessels have undertaken service on Irish Sea routes in 1998 and 1999. In 1998 LEMBITU operated under charter to P&O on the Dublin to Liverpool service whilst for a brief spell this autumn VARBOLA operated on Merchant Ferries Dublin to Heysham service.

The LEMBITU is now operating alongside another sister vessel LEHOLA, on a route between Marseilles and Tunis. The move to the Mediterranean of the LEMBITU follows the closure of the short-lived Southampton - Bayonne service that appears to have ended in Mid October. It is understood that at least one Southampton - Bayonne trip saw the LEMBITU sailing with a completely empty vehicle deck. Meanwhile the VARBOLA remains at Vlissingen awaiting charter
work.

IRISH FERRIES

The JONATHAN SWIFT was observed by a correspondent in Crosby Channel at C12 buoy at 07.30 on Tuesday 2nd November. The vessel was enroute to Canada Dry Dock, Liverpool for maintenance by Wright and Beyers. JONATHAN SWIFT is expected to remain in Canada Dry Dock until sometime this coming week.

The JONATHAN SWIFT'S arrival on Merseyside has enabled me to obtain my first close up pictures of the vessel including the parts normally below the water! The pictures should be on line within the next couple of weeks.

PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION CO by Gary Andrews

P&O EUROPEAN FERRIES ANNOUNCES MOVE TO TROON.

P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Limited is to move its twice-daily freight service between Ardrossan and Larne to the Port of Troon, following an agreement with the port's owner Associated British Ports (ABP). The move will see a return of freight services to Troon for the first time in 100 years and will help establish Troon as a major ferry port, the SeaCat Scotland high-speed service to Belfast having commenced earlier this year.

Operating out of Troon will make it possible for P&O to use larger vessels than the EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER, EUROPEAN TRADER and EUROPEAN ENDEAVOUR which are currently being used on the existing route, enabling it to meet the growing demands of the robust Irish economy. To accommodate the new service, scheduled to commence in January 2001, ABP will construct a œ4.5 million ro-ro terminal at the port's east pier. The quay will be resurfaced and a linkspan and bridge
for the ro-ro vessels will also be provided.

John Kersey, Managing Director of P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Limited commented:

"P&O has operated a service between Ardrossan and Northern Ireland for over 30 years. Unfortunately, we have outgrown Ardrossan Port but are delighted to remain in Ayrshire with our new service to Larne operating from the Port of Troon."

Budha Majumdar, ABP Port Director, Short-Sea Ports said:

"This is tremendous news for Troon. The port's location on the west coast of Scotland combined with excellent transport links to the central belt of Scotland, make it ideally placed to serve Northern Ireland."

John Baillie, leader of the South Ayrshire Council added:

"We welcome this excellent news which should be a significant boost for the local economy. The Council looks forward to working in partnership not only with ABP, but also with local people, to make sure that the local infrastructure is developed to allow the Port of Troon to reach its full
potential."

The agreement between ABP and P&O European Ferries is subject to all the necessary consents being in place, and the terminal being ready for operation by 1 January 2001.

Douglas Morrison, port manager for Troon and Ayr, said:

"This is an exciting development for us and, I believe, for the economy of Ayrshire and Scotland. We have been working for some time to attract P&O to Troon and are pleased that the decision has now been confirmed. We will be working closely with South Ayrshire Council to ensure that the development works smoothly and that, once the terminal is fully operational by the beginning of 2001, there is minimum disruption to local people." The council will now press ahead with plans to provide a relief road to take traffic away from the congested centre of Troon, and there is confidence that the new road will be in operation in time for the freight sailings to begin.

The tonnage to be used on the new service has not yet been revealed and obviously at this stage any comments regarding the fine detail of the new route are speculative. However, with P&O's new Liverpool - Dublin ro-pax ferry due in service in December 2000 scheduled to release the EUROPEAN LEADER to the Fleetwood - Larne service, it would seem possible that the EUROPEAN SEAFARER or
EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR could be used on the new Troon - Larne service. Due to the higher speed of such tonnage over the EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER it would seem one vessel could maintain two daily roundtrips on the route, ending the necessity of using a second vessel on the route.

The chance to win a Hyundai Atoz is just one of the attractions on offer for commercial vehicle drivers on the Irish Sea with P&O European Ferries' new look Drivers Club.

The Drivers Club operates as a loyalty scheme whereby every time a driver uses one of P&O European Ferries' 35 sailings a day between the UK and Northern and Southern Ireland, he or she is given stamps which can be exchanged for vouchers from a variety of high street stores.

On 1 November the current scheme was improved dramatically. There is a change of image with redesigned wallets, cards and stamps and the range of vouchers available has also been widened. Under the revised scheme drivers will now not only be able to choose from Argos and Marks and Spencer, but also Quinnsworth and High Street Vouchers, which can be redeemed at an even wider range of stores including Woolworth, H Samuel, Next, Sports Division, Olympus Sport, Index, Iceland, Mothercare, Bhs, Littlewoods and What everyone Wants.

P&O European Ferries is also going to make it easier for drivers to get extra stamps. In future, certain sailings will be designated as double stamp sailings. Details of these opportunities will be clearly posted in ports and onboard vessels well in advance. Inevitably such a scheme will act as an
incentive for drivers to use less popular sailings.

To coincide with the relaunch and the upcoming new Millennium celebrations, P&O European Ferries on the Irish Sea is introducing the Drivers Club Millennium Draw. From 1 November, every driver as well as earning his stamps will be given a ticket and entered into the Prize Draw. Then, at the end of each month from 30 November 1999 through to 31 December 2000, there will be a draw to win one of many prizes. These include a Sony Playstation, a holiday voucher for œ2000,
a microwave oven, Nicam video recorder, television, mountain bike and of course the aforementioned Hyundai Atoz.

All these changes and other improvements, such as the redeveloped freight customer magazine (Report), are highlighted as further proof of P&O European Ferries' commitment to its freight customers on the Irish Sea.

PRIDE OF RATHLIN JOB LOSSES: Maritime union, the RMT, has said that P&O European Ferries  are seeking 22 redundancies as a result of the PRIDE OF RATHLIN being replaced by the new ro-pax ferry currently being built in Japan for the Larne - Cairnryan route. The RMT is opposed to the redundancies they claim to include 2-engine room crew and 17 members of the catering crew. It has also been claimed by the RMT that P&O plan to bring in contract catering services (currently catering is only "managed" by contract catering services). The changes to crewing were reportedly revealed at a meeting between unions and P&O on 19 October. However, given the new ferry has been mentioned from it's construction was first announced as having a crew of 55 and the 'Rathlin has a crew of 80 it was inevitable there would be some job losses. A spokesman for P&O said that no deck ratings were involved and any redundancies would be in the onboard services department. P&O also said that transfers to other vessels might be possible.

NAVIGATOR STAND-IN: The EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR operated the morning sailing from Larne to Fleetwood on 31 October instead of the EUROPEAN PIONEER, the EUROPEAN PIONEER returning to her usual schedule the following day. It is not clear why this occurred - the EUROPEAN PIONEER may have simply been behind schedule because of the poor weather or it may have been due to tidal conditions or scheduled maintenance.

CENARGO - MERCHANT / NORSE IRISH FERRIES

Gary Andrews writes that it is understood that prior to Cenargo International completing its take-over of Norse Irish Ferries last month they had to first obtain agreement from bond holders to allow use of funds generated from earlier ship sales to buy the company from the Grover Star Shipping Corporation. It is understood the Norse Irish Ferries brand name is being retained for the time being although in the not too distant future a combined name of Norse Merchant is likely for all Cenargo's Irish Sea services. However, it is believed that no attempt will be made to combine the separate Liverpool terminals for Merchant Ferries and Norse Irish until they move to the long awaited dedicated river berth in the Mersey, whenever that should occur.

BRAVE MERCHANT: On Friday evening the vessel was noted running rather late and was seen entering Langton Lock at around 19.30. Radio traffic early on Sunday morning between BRAVE MERCHANT and Mersey Radio revealed she was again running late. Mersey Radio was advised at 01.50 that she was running down at Langton with the 23.00 sailing to Dublin with a Dubli