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Irish Sea Shipping - Archives The Online Shipping Magazine Shipping News and Views from the Irish and Celtic Seas since 1995 |
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MERSEY & IRISH SEA NEWS BULLETIN DECEMBER 1999 31st DECEMBER 1999 NOTES & NEWS Welcome to the last news bulletin of 1999. As is fitting for this time of year I have included a Review of the Year for 1999. However, it grew rather larger than I anticipated and is now a full article in its own right. It appears in the Maritime Features section and can also be accessed from the "What's New" page. I have tried to write it in a slightly more light-hearted manner as befits the time of year. At present I am not certain if there will be a news update on Sunday 2nd January. That will depend on any available news stories. However, if there is an update it will be posted around 23.00 on Sunday. You may have noticed that the live Maritime Forum and Maritime Queries interactive pages have reappeared. Front Page 2000 has made integrating these features into the main web much more straightforward. Please try out these interactive features. Access is from the contents bars etc. On a further administrative note you may discover that the Voyage Reports for 1999 have been removed from the main site. They are now available on the Mersey and Irish Sea Archive site. This has been done to prepare for a new batch of reports, which will appear during 2000. Additionally readers should be aware that the 1999 News Bulletins would be removed from the main site on Sunday 9th January. Once again you will still be able to access them via the Archives and Back up Site http://www.cybase.co.uk/jhluxton Finally may I take the opportunity of wishing all M&ISS readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year? SEA CONTAINERS BEN-MY-CHREE - it appears that the BEN's refit has been delayed and that she is will operate throughout next week. On 8th January there will no day time round trip from Douglas to Heysham. On 8th January she will depart from Douglas at the new Saturday evening departure time of 20.00 which features throughout the new timetable. It appears that the delay in dry-docking has been due to the lack of available dry docks on Merseyside. LADY OF MANN - The Lady will commence operation on the Liverpool to Douglas service in the coming week. She will run light from Liverpool to Douglas on Thursday evening to position for the Friday morning sailing. MORE TRAINS TO HEYSHAM HARBOUR Charlie Tennant writes that more passenger trains are to serve the Lancashire ferry port of Heysham. From next May, First North Western plans to run an extra train in and out of the port to connect with a new daily SeaCat sailing to Belfast. The train operator had previously said that a service connecting with a 500 seat SeaCat would not be commercially worthwhile. But it reconsidered after Sea Containers announced the introduction of a SuperSeaCat on the Heysham to Belfast service. MILLENNIUM BUG Hopefully the much-hyped Millennium Bug will not have any affect on M&ISS or their computers. However, many ports were expected to close from the early evening on 31 December until at least 06.00 on 1 January as a safeguard against any Millennium related problems. Similarly most vessels will undergo extensive checks in the early hours of 1 January. MERSEY INCIDENTS Over the Christmas period two incidents were reported to have occurred on the River Mersey, which resulted in the emergency, services being called out: In the first incident A major air sea search was launched today after a man was reported to have leaped into the Mersey from a ferry at the Pier Head. A Liverpool inshore rescue service crewman saw the man, dressed in dark clothing, wandering around the landing stage at 3.30am. The man raised the alarm and a four-hour search began. At the height of the operation Liverpool's inshore rescue team and New Brighton Lifeboat searched both sides of the river. The Merseyside police helicopter, using its thermal imaging equipment, was joined by a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Valley. However, no trace of the man has been reportedly found or any information concerning his identity. Another incident in the early hours of Christmas morning was brought about as a result of storm force winds, which developed on Christmas Eve and did not subside until Christmas Day. Both Hoylake and New Brighton Lifeboats were launched to come to the aid of a man who has been swept off a slipway at New Brighton promenade shortly before 01.00 after leaving a local nightclub. The man, Mr. Paul Stubbs from Cardiff was swept into the river. A friend dived into the River to assist Mr. Stubbs but was unable to reach him and had to be rescued by doormen from the nightclub. Mr. Stubbs was found unconscious in the Mersey by lifeboat men from the New Brighton Lifeboat, assisted by the spotlights on the Merseyside Police Helicopter. Conditions were reported to be so bad that the small New Brighton lifeboat, a rigid inflatable, could not return to its slipway but had to be brought ashore at the Egremont slipway further up river. Mr. Stubbs and his friend were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, unfortunately Mr. Stubbs who was suffering from severe hypothermia could not be revived and he was declared dead at 03.30. His friend was discharged from hospital later on Christmas Day.
DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR The Irish Times reports that the development of a 680-berth marina facility at Dún Laoghaire Harbour is approaching its latest watershed following a delay to the commencement of construction work due to start at the beginning of last month. Apparently a number of problems have threatened the project but local sources are optimistic that these have been resolved. The major cause for the delay is understood to have been the construction cost of the two breakwaters required to shelter the marina berths. The first of the breakwaters, which extends west from the ferry car parking area was to have commenced by now with clearance of existing swing moorings to enable dredging work to be carried out. It had been hoped that this larger breakwater would have been completed in time for the 2000 season. The second breakwater following during winter 2000/2001. The entire facility thus opens for business in spring 2001. During 1999, the contract for the management of the marina was awarded to Marina Marketing & Management, a company owned by yachtsmen John Bourke, Michael O'Leary and Tom Power. Following this, a tender process started to select the contractor for the breakwater construction. Since the original estimates for the construction work were undertaken, there has been a substantial increase in costs and negotiations have been successful in bringing this to the point of signing. A second concern has been that of the foreshore licence to be issued by the Department of the Marine to the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. This company is a semi-state body recently created to manage the harbour. It reports directly to the Minister who also issues the licence. Apparently around 18 objections were registered with the Department last summer. Conflicting reports suggest that the objections have either been satisfactorily accommodated or that conditions may be attached directly to the licence itself. Meanwhile, the Dun Laoghaire Combined Clubs (DLCC) grouping have rallied behind the Royal Irish Yacht Club, which is most directly affected by the development. The Minister for the Marine has been asked to allow a number of moorings to be retained directly in front of the club's slipway as all their existing swing moorings will be lost under current plans for the marina. During the autumn, fears were expressed for the future of small boats such that are unsuited to marina berths and have traditionally been moored just off the former Depot slipway. Following negotiations with harbour authorities, other clubs have been permitted to lay additional moorings in suitable areas. Additional temporary facilities for larger keelboats will also be provided during the construction phase. The entire project is now becoming extremely time-sensitive: further delays to construction may cause disruption to summer activities or push the schedule back. European Union funding is a pivotal element of the projects finances and deadlines for this support are also looming. JHL's COMMENT: I think I have made my opinion of Marinas located in attractive historic harbours quite clear in the past. From an aesthetic point of view they are as attractive as a seaside caravan site! Some locations are more suited to them than others. The Liverpool Marina is quite unobtrusive and makes good use of an otherwise abandoned south end dock. However, where the development is in an attractive harbour such as at Dún Laoghaire it is certainly to be regretted.] STENA LINE Stena Line's Belfast - Stranraer HSS STENA VOYAGER is due to be withdrawn for a 2-day refit on 5 and 6 January. There are rumours circulating that the KONINGIN BEATRIX has been sold by Stena to Brittany Ferries for possible operation between Portsmouth and Caen. FAIR FARES FOR A MILLENNIUM CRUISE by Gary Andrews The extortionate prices for the now cancelled New Year cruise of the ROYAL DAFFODIL become apparent when the £200 charge is compared to TRIS's New Year cruise, seemingly in the ADMIRAL. The vessel left Genova on 27 December and returns on 3 January having gone from Genova to Napoli, Palermo, Valletta, Napoli (again) and Genova. The cheapest fare, in a 4-berth cabin with shower and toilet for seven nights, including three meals a day, was 1.1 million Lire - or £353. DUBLIN PORT by Gary Andrews RTÉ has reported that the Irish Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey, has approved the Dublin Port Tunnel. The tunnel project has been delayed for several years due to objections from residents in the North Dublin area. With almost two million trucks passing through the city every year, this project is expected to considerably alleviate Dublin traffic congestion. The tunnel will extend from the existing M1 Dublin-Belfast motorway at Coolock Lane in Santry. The three and a half-mile route will be mostly underground with a little over half a mile over ground. The tunnel will finish up at the East Wall Road beside Dublin Port. A tolling system will also be put into operation for private users. It will cost £3 at peak times and one pound during off peak periods, but private commuters will only have to pay travelling into the port, not from the port. Construction of the tunnel is due to begin at the end of 2000 and should take 3 and a half years to complete. It is estimated that the tunnel will cost £204 million. ON-RIVER LINKSPANS - SOME NUMBER CRUCHING by John Shepherd Here's a thought for the new millennium: Without a Mersey river berth it takes upwards of one hour for, say, the DAWN MERCHANT to swing off the locks, enter the lock chamber, make fast, gates to close, water level to equalise, gates to open, let go, manoeuvre in dock system and make fast to berth. On sailing this process has to be reversed - another hour lost. Say, for argument's sake, this process happens on 300 days a year (allowance made for overhaul and days with single sails). That's 600 hours per year lost - absolute dead time - or 3.57 weeks per vessel in a year. Multiply this by six : DAWN MERCHANT, BRAVE MERCHANT, MERSEY VIKING, LAGAN VIKING, EUROPEAN ENVOY and EUROPEAN LEADER and you have a massive 3,600 hours a year being lost through locking in and out at Liverpool - an aggregate total of 21.43 weeks or FIVE MONTHS a year. And there's still no sign, or is there likely to be in my opinion, of any progress with river berths. I wonder just what this massive dead time equates to in terms of cash? It's not just a cost to the vessel herself, there's ropemen, boatmen and on occasions, tugs to be paid for. Happy New Year - John S. NATIONAL MARITIME COLLEGE FOR IRELAND A 10-acre site which is worth IR£1m has been made available by the Department of Defence in Cork Harbour,. Located near the Ringaskiddy Ferryport, the site will provide a home for the new National Maritime College. expected that his will have been completed by the end of the month. Recommended by the Task Force on Seafarer Training the new college will cater for both merchant marine and naval training. Detailed proposals for the construction of the college with be finalised by an inter-departmental working group.
26 DECEMBER 1999 NOTES & NEWS Apologies if anyone has had difficulty accessing the site in the early part of the week. There had been problems with the server. These have now been resolved and in addition M&ISS now has its own easy to remember web URL. The previous URL was hardly the easiest thing to remember. Please ensure you have read the second update dated 20 December which was not posted on the main site until 24. It can be found immediately below this news bulletin. Please note that the new URL is http://www.merseyshipping.co.uk. Though there is currently a redirect on the old address, which takes you directly to the new address it is advisable to bookmark, the new one. Once again there is quite a lot of news, despite it being the Christmas holiday period. Now we are on the run up to the New Year, it is a time when it is customary to review the year’s key events. I had hoped to do this for this update, but given the amount of material for the news alone I have decided to hold this over until later in the week. I will be making an additional update to the site on Friday 31st December around 15.00 hours or earlier which will contain the review of the year as well as any news to date. Once again I have vented my feelings about the closing off of the Liverpool waterfront for the Millennium celebrations. Also during the coming week you will notice changes being made to the M&ISS Archive site as well as the main site. Consequently there may be more than one or two maintenance updates. Finally, whilst we enjoy ourselves over this extended holiday period, perhaps we should pause and spare a thought for those seafarers who have to work through the holiday period, be they carrying important cargoes or just getting passengers home to family and friends. Above all we should remember the gallant crews of our lifeboats, always ready to put to sea, whilst most other people are enjoying themselves. In this update you will read of nightlong rescue operation undertaken by the Kilmore and Rosslare Lifeboats in saving the crew and historic tug GOLDEN CROSS.
SEA CONTAINERS During the past few days the prevailing poor weather conditions have had a noticeable effect on sailings. Some of the highlights include: BEN-MY-CHREE made her pre Christmas voyage to Dublin on Tuesday 21st December. She sailed from Douglas with 250 passengers. Instead of berthing at berth 44, used by Sea Containers since June, she went to the main Dublin passenger terminal at berth 49. She is reported to have been turned round in 28 minutes, and departed with 48 passengers. Her next trip to Dublin will be on Tuesday 28th December. On Thursday 23rd December the BEN-MY-CHREE crossed to Heysham, though the 14.15 sailing from Heysham and the 19.45 sailing from Douglas were cancelled. LADY OF MANN – Operated 21.00 to Douglas on 20th, 21st and 23rd December and the 07.30 Douglas to Liverpool on 21st 22nd and 24th December. On 23rd December the 21.00 sailing was delayed for at least two hours according to transmissions to Mersey Radio. On 24th December the LADY was noted arriving at Liverpool around 11.15. She berthed on the north berth whilst SUPERSEACAT THREE cruised the river. After a short spell on the stage, she departed for Langton Lock and her berth in Alexandra Dock. On evening of 22nd the LADY OF MANN cancelled the 21.00 sailing for Douglas. SUPERSEACAT THREE had several cancellations this week: on the Douglas – Liverpool route sailings were covered by the LADY OF MANN. However, no sailings operated to Dublin on 24thand 26th December. SEACAT SCOTLAND obviously wasn't
running to schedule on Christmas Eve when she was seen at the Belfast berth at
13.05 when she should have been en route from Troon. It appears she has spent
Christmas at Stranraer with the SEACAT DANMARK occupying the Belfast berth. HOVERSPEED LAUNCH DOVER 1ST LOUNGE by Gary Andrews Premium-paying passengers crossing the Channel on Hoverspeed’s fast car ferry services to both Calais and Ostend can now relax in their very own airport-style executive lounge at Dover's International Hoverport. The opening of the stylish new lounge is part of a major upgrade of Hoverspeed’s premium travel offer, which also includes fast-track check-in, priority loading, at-seat cabin service, and complimentary newspapers and refreshments (including meals on services to Ostend and Dieppe). The next phase of development sees the refurbishment of the firm’s hovercraft in January with a redesigned ‘1st’ class cabin. Geoffrey Ede, Hoverspeed managing director, said: "Hoverspeed is the first ferry operator to offer pre-departure lounges for premium passengers, bringing a whole new dimension to cross-Channel travel. As well as the fastest Channel crossings, Hoverspeed passengers can now enjoy the most stylish way to travel to the near Continent." ‘1st' class upgrades cost £7.50 per person, per crossing on services from Dover to Calais and Folkestone to Boulogne; £15 from Dover to Ostend; and £20 from Newhaven to Dieppe. HOVERSPEED – A YEAR IN REVIEW by GARY ANDREWS This year was a year of much achievement for Hoverspeed. As a result the company has decided to document their year with the following review. (For the record, the bulk of this is taken directly from a press release from Hoverspeed – I felt it would provide a useful summary of Hoverspeed’s activities for the past year). 1999 got off to a flying start for Hoverspeed on 15 January, when the company announced that it was to take over the Newhaven - Dieppe service following the withdrawal of P&O Stena Line. The SUPERSEACAT TWO, which commenced services on 23 April, revived the fortunes of the cross-Channel service, carrying over 300,000 passengers and 70,000 vehicles. Also in January, Hoverspeed celebrated another milestone as its Dover - Ostend service carried its one-millionth passenger, two months before the service celebrated its first anniversary. Later in the year Hoverspeed took full control of the Ostend route having purchased Holyman’s share in the service. In March, Hoverspeed’s DIAMANT made a courtesy visit to the Pool of London, transiting both Tower Bridge and the Thames Flood Barrier. Onboard, Hoverspeed’s managing director, Geoffrey Ede, unveiled the company’s new corporate identity to guests from the travel trade and media. In May, Hoverspeed hosted the cross-Channel leg of the Gumball Rally 3000. Recreating the classic Cannonball Run films of the 1970s, the participants included Jason Priestly, Danni Minogue, and Chris Eubank. Also in May, Hoverspeed became the first cross-Channel operator to receive the coveted Investors in People award, whilst the hovercraft, THE PRINCESS ANNE, returned to service for her thirtieth season on the Channel. On 3 June, Hoverspeed paid tribute to the hovercraft’s inventor, Sir Christopher Cockerell, who died at the age of 88. Flags were flown at half-mast at the hoverports in both Dover and Calais. 30 June saw the end of duty-free within the European Union. The day itself was a frenzy as thousands of cross-Channel shoppers took the last chance to stock up. Hoverspeed had to close it shops several times during the day to re-stock. Despite abolition, prices were frozen at duty-free levels, whilst shoppers can now buy as much as they want providing its for their own personal use. Hoverspeed continued to expand its Continental retail operation throughout the year with the opening of new stores in Ostend, Dieppe and Boulogne. Later research indicated that 56% of travellers still cited "shopping" as the main reason for their journey to the Continent. Hoverspeed was breaking records in July when the SUPERSEACAT TWO made the fastest ever crossing from Newhaven to Dieppe, taking just 1 hour and 40 minutes. Also during July, Hoverspeed staff at Newhaven helped solve a feline mystery when a random security search discovered a cat under the bonnet of a car. Hoverspeed’s Newhaven to Dieppe service also proved popular on 11 August as passengers flocked to France to view the total Eclipse. Also during August, Hoverspeed announced that the service – originally intended for the summer season only – would continue through to the end of the year. The end of year saw the action continue, with Hoverspeed pioneering ticket-less cross-Channel travel in November and the December opening of Hoverspeed’s first airport-style executive lounge, part of a major upgrade of ‘1st’ class cross-Channel travel for the new Millennium. HOVERSPEED APEX DEALS: Hoverspeed are offering excellent prices with their Apex early booking offer for passengers booking and paying before 7 January. Apex fares are valid for travel throughout 2000, and can offer savings of as much as £211 on a standard return fare during peak periods. An APEX 5-day return (car + 9 passengers) costs; Folkestone to Boulogne - from £75; Dover to Calais - from £79; Dover to Ostend - from £79 and Newhaven to Dieppe - from £89. An APEX standard return (car + 9) passengers costs; Folkestone to Boulogne - from £109; Dover to Calais - from £119; Dover to Ostend - from £119 and Newhaven to Dieppe - from £139. To book, contact Hoverspeed on 08705 240241.
SEA CONTAINERS EXPECT DISAPPOINTING FOURTH QUARTER by Gary Andrews James Sherwood, President of Sea Containers, has said that group results for the fourth quarter of 1999 were looking weaker than earlier forecast. He said that the enormous unexpected rise in fuel costs will cost the company’s passenger transport division $3 million more than forecast for the fourth quarter of the year and it had been impossible to adjust tariffs in time to compensate, although tariffs will be increased in 2000. He added that the UK has been subjected to a "conveyor belt" of storms in the quarter. Ferries were unable to operate and the overhead electric wires of GNER were repeatedly brought down, paralysing the network. Finally, Hurricane Lenny has forced the closure of the La Samanna resort for the holiday season, the main earnings period of the year. The resort will reopen in February 2000. Mr. Sherwood indicated that the impact of these events would mean that while net income for 1999 should still be ahead of 1998, it is now unlikely the mid year earnings forecast of a 20% increase over 1998 will be achieved. Mr. Sherwood said that while this setback was disappointing, the fundamentals of the business hadn’t changed. GE SeaCo, the company’s joint venture with GE Capital, has taken delivery of more than $100 million of new containers this year and lease rates are finally rising, as is utilisation. In 2000 the ferry industry should have adjusted for loss of duty free and higher fuel prices. Forward bookings for the company’s leisure properties are strong and properties purchased in 1999 should stimulate 2000 and later year earnings. Meanwhile Sea Containers has signed an agreement with Nara Corporation of Yokohama, Japan to acquire the 100 room Observatory Hotel in Sydney and the 86 room Lilianfels Hotel in the Blue Mountains 60 miles west of Sydney, Australia. The combined purchase price is approximately A$65 million (US$40 million). The Observatory was built in 1993 and Lilianfels in 1992. Orient-Express Hotels has managed the Observatory since its opening. Completion of the sale will take place in January 2000, placing Sea Containers in an excellent position for the 2000 Olympics to be held in Sydney. Upon completion of this transaction Orient-Express will own and/or operate 35 properties. Four are in the South Pacific, five in Southern Africa, two in Southeast Asia, four in South America, six in North America, eleven in Europe and three in the United Kingdom. SEA CONTAINERS CONFIRM INTENTIONS FOR GOTHENBURG by Gary Andrews SUPERSEACAT ONE made its final crossing between Gothenburg, Sweden, and Frederikshavn, Denmark, for the last time on 23 December. From 30 March 2000 the 74-metre catamaran SEACAT DANMARK, currently operating on Sea Containers’ Heysham - Belfast service, will operate the service together with the service between Gothenburg and Langesund, Norway under the new name Silja Line SeaCat. The change of name is part of a co-operation between Silja Line and SeaCat as a result of Sea Containers’ 50% acquisition of Silja Line’s parent company Neptun Maritime, in the spring of 1999. Silja Line SeaCat and Silja Line will co-ordinate, and thereby strengthen their marketing, sales and purchasing departments. Silja Line SeaCat will be able to benefit from the strength of Silja Line’s field sales staff in Sweden. Silja Line’s Frequent Flyer deal will also become available on Silja Line SeaCat, and connecting bus services are also planned to Gothenburg. Silja Line is the largest ferry company in the Baltic region and operates the routes Stockholm – Helsinki/Åbo via Åland as well as Umeå – Vasa and Helsinki – Tallin/Rostock. The company carried 5.8 million passengers and 123,000 freight units in 1998. The market share for the transport of passengers between the Finnish and Swedish mainland was 61%. Silja Line SeaCat will transport about 500,000 passengers and 115,000 cars during 1999, a market share of 16 and 20 per cent respectively.
RNLI – DÚN LAOGHAIRE LIFEBOAT The crew of Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat kept with tradition on Christmas Eve when they put to sea in remembrance of past crewmembers who have given their lives so that others may be saved. The loss in 1895 of the Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat and her crew of 15 local men is commemorated by the crew of the present Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat each Christmas Eve during a brief service in Dublin Bay. A wreath will be laid at the spot where the lifeboat CIVIL SERVICE NO. 7 was lost on Christmas Eve, 1895 while attempting to rescue the crew of the barque PALME. The lifeboat, rowed out by her crew into appalling conditions, was almost alongside the stricken ship when heavy seas overwhelmed her. There were no survivors. Ironically, the entire crew of the PALME were rescued on St Stephen’s Day. Also remembered will be all seafarers lost around our coastline. Today’s lifeboats are a far cry from those of yesteryear. Dun Laoghaire’s usual boat, ANNA LIVIA, is a state-of-the-art Trent Class lifeboat with a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles. The station also boasts a D-Class inshore lifeboat for work in and around the shoreline. MD&HC RIVER TERMINALS – READING BETWEEN THE LINESThis week the Liverpool Daily Post carried a report concerning the infilling of the disused Waterloo Dock. Liverpool City Council has ordered Mersey Docks and Harbour Company to carry out remedial work to tidy up the site and remove debris from the dock. The council claims that the MD&HC was in breech of planning permission having originally being were granted permission to full in West Waterloo Dock, no longer used for operational purposes, on the condition that they left an average of 2 metres of water in the dock. Needless to say the residents of the nearby Waterloo Warehouse apartments complained! However, what is of particular interest is the response of the MD&HC. To quote the newspaper: "The council dismissed claims by the MD&HC that the site should be left as it is until a decision is made regarding the relocation of the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal at the Pier Head. The council stated in the report "Whilst a decision on the final location of the Ferry Terminal cannot be prejudged, your officers do not consider that this is a reason for leaving the unsatisfactory situation at the West Waterloo Dock unresolved." [JHL’s COMMENT: Of course this report is quite interesting as it suggests that options are probably being kept open for an alternative location for a Sea Containers terminal should the revised plans for the Pier Head terminal run into further difficulties. Some time ago, there had been some speculation that the SeaCo terminal could relocate to the north end of Prince’s Parade, around the site of the in filled Waterloo River Entrance and the now demolished HMS EAGLET complex. Of course plans to locate one of the on-river linkspans on nearby land adjacent to the former B&I Line terminal were frustrated by residents of the Waterloo Apartments. However, one wonders if the company feels it might be able to develop a passenger only terminal in the area? This would leave the existing landing stage as a calling point for cruise ships. A facility, the MD&HC are keen to provide, obviating the need for most cruise ship passengers to be tendered ashore. Recent comments from the Lord Mayor of Liverpool regarding extension of the Landing Stage at the time of the CARONIA naming ceremony could also tie into such an option. If anything what appeared to be a fairly mundane report on filling in a redundant dock has only added to the speculation concerning the future location of terminals!]
PIER HEAD – WHAT A MILLENNIUM SHAME! Just over 10 years ago the world was relieved to hear that the "Iron Curtain" had collapsed and the division of Germany and Berlin had come to an end. Well now 10 years on you can see to a partitioned city in Liverpool this winter! On Christmas morning, I took a pre lunch drive around the docks and waterfront on both sides of the river and was totally appalled at what I saw. It appeared even worse than when I had viewed the area during a working day some days earlier. Basically the whole Pier Head area is cordoned off by massive fences around 10 feet in height. In most parts these fences are solid and form an impenetrable wall which commences opposite the Sea Terminal [and encloses the Monument to the Heroes of The Marine Engine Room]. The fencing continues to the Liver Buildings, seal the roads between the Liver Buildings and Cunard Building and between the Cunard Building the MD&HC Building before being continued as open mesh fencing round into Mann Island. This fencing is to protect a massive covered temporary arena which extends from the Maritime Museum Car Park gates northwards to almost reach the floating roadway cut. What is worse all the parking bays near the Pier Head are out of use including the one’s near the Sea Containers Terminal. [Any ship enthusiasts planning bank holiday trips and who are aware of the all day free parking on Bank Holidays at this location should bear this in mind!] I wandered down to the Pier Head again on Boxing Day morning just to take another look at this monstrosity that has been dumped on our waterfront. This temporary construction has blighted the waterfront for several weeks now along with its associated fortifications. Why wasn’t the arena constructed on the vast open wastes of the King’s Dock site adjacent to the Albert Dock? – A site which the council has been considering this week as an ideal location for a future public arena. Why should the ordinary people of Liverpool, who have no interest in the Cream Millennium Concert be deprived access to a public open space just for the sake of several thousand Millennium Concert goers who could have been catered for adequately elsewhere? Why didn’t the Millennium Walk Committee try and stop this event being held at the Pier Head? The committee were so vociferous and determined in getting the MD&HC/Sea Containers Sea Terminal scheme stopped, yet I have not seen a comment from this group in the local press about the present situation at the Pier Head. This is odd as the "Memorial" is now enclosed within the compound. The Sea Terminal would have been a benefit to Liverpool and from published artists impressions certainly would not have been an eyesore! This arena construction blights the waterfront even though it is on a temporary basis, and deprives access to a popular area of Liverpool during the extended holiday period, which is nothing short of a disgrace. Finally, as part of the Millennium Celebrations readers might be interested to know that the Strand and other roads between the Albert Dock and the Royal Sun Alliance building will be closed to traffic between 28th December and 2nd January. Thus any enthusiasts planning a wander round the docks over the next few days – be warned. I am no killjoy and do not begrudge organised celebrations, what I do question is the choice of location when better-suited alternatives are available.
CHRISTMAS FERRY TRAVEL DISRUPTION by Gary Andrews In what is becoming as normal a tradition as sub-standard seasonal television, Christmas ferry travellers have faced serious disruption this week. As with other recent spells of poor weather there have simply been too many delayed and cancelled sailings to report and so I have simply decided to provide a few general descriptions and several notable changes. High-speed services on the Irish Sea were cancelled on the night of 20 December and the early part of 21 December. The poor weather also led to delays on conventional services on 21 December. Very severe weather on 23 December again saw all fast ferry sailings cancelled on the Irish Sea, with many English Channel services and conventional services also subject to delays or cancellation. Similar weather has been predicted for 24 December, raising concerns that some services may have to operate on Christmas Day to get passengers to their destinations. The uncertain conditions of 22 December saw Stena Line cancel a children’s’ fun day aboard the Belfast – Stranraer HSS STENA VOYAGER (obviously luck was in for ordinary passengers on that occasion – G. Andrews!) Similarly on 23 December Stena cancelled all day trips on the Belfast – Stranraer route. P&O showed remarkable foresight during the calmer weather of the night of 22/23 December. The JETLINER operated two additional Larne – Cairnryan trips – passengers due to travel on 23 December were re-booked onto these sailings to ensure they were able to get travelling. The sense of the move was shown when JETLINER sailings on 23 December were cancelled. The LADY OF MANN was again brought out to keep Sea Containers’ services running. It appears she was mainly used on the Liverpool – Douglas route on this occasion. On the evening of 22 December, accumulated delays were such that Police warned motorists to avoid Holyhead unless they were travelling. A tailback of traffic stretched for five miles along the A5. The 13.30 CONDOR EXPRESS sailing from Weymouth – Channel Islands was cancelled on 22 December and replaced with a 06.30 sailing on 23 December. GARY ANDREWS’ COMMENT: There seems some unfortunate irony that almost every Christmas seems to bring with it stormy weather given it is one of the busiest times for ferry operators, especially on the North Channel. For several years I went for a roundtrip on the STENA GALLOWAY on the Larne – Stranraer route on Christmas Eve – checking back on my notes every year my sailings ran late due to windy conditions! PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY PRIDE OF RATHLIN is currently in Belfast undergoing repairs after coming into contact with a mooring dolphin at Larne. This occurred during the high winds of Friday morning. She will be out of service for a few days for repairs. At the time of the incident she was laden with passengers and freight. The incident occurred when the PRIDE OF RATHLIN was arriving at Larne from Cairnryan on the morning of Christmas Eve. She was caught by a freak gust of wind and onto a mooring dolphin The PRIDE sustained some damage above the waterline but aided by a tug was able to berth safely with no injuries to anyone aboard. With temporary repairs carried out she was sent to Harland and Wolff for immediate dry-docking and was observed by a correspondent at the yard at lunchtime on 26 December. Repairs are expected to take five days (whether this includes Christmas or not remains to be seen).
How this will affect sailings remains to be seen - on 24 December JETLINER sailings were cancelled and presumably besides the small amount of
traffic carried on the freight ships most traffic was likely diverted to Stena. EUROPEAN PATHFINDER arrived at Cammell Laird on the evening tide of 20th December. EUROPEAN SEAFARER is currently in Wright and Beyer’s Bidston Dry Dock. EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER arrived at Birkenhead for lay-up in the West Float on Christmas Eve; she was accompanied by Cenargo’s MERCHANT VENTURE, which has been on charter to P&O. NEW NAME FOR P&OEF (IRISH SEA)? by Gary Andrews The Advance Edition of P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea)’s 2000 Larne – Cairnryan, Dublin – Liverpool and Rosslare – Cherbourg brochure carries the title "P&O Irish Sea" suggesting that it is highly likely that the operator may be about to change it’s trading name from "P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea)" to simply "P&O Irish Sea". Such a move would bring the operation into line with other P&O ferry subsidiaries such as P&O Portsmouth which dropped the marketing name "P&O European Ferries" at the start of 1999. The re-branding would also be welcome in creating a more reflective title for the services operated by the company, especially in view of the expanded passenger services planned over the next few years. The new brochure reveals that there will be no JETLINER sailings 6 January to 29 February 2000, leaving the PRIDE OF RATHLIN to cope alone during this period. With anticipation that the JETLINER’s four-year charter will not be re-newed in June, it means the craft could have only a very short period of service remaining on the route. Whilst the Advance brochure is simply to allow passengers to forward plan holidays it appears that at this stage sailings will be little altered despite the arrival of new tonnage in summer. One would expect later editions of the brochure to give a better indication of any changes and to carry a detailed description of the Larne – Cairnryan route’s new ro-pax ferry. However, unlike the recent brochure from Sea Containers for their Irish Sea routes, the brochure does give a full price list. (It is felt by this writer that Sea Containers have made a serious error of judgement by expecting passengers to telephone for prices.) One notable feature of the price list is that the Apex fare offers have now been made permanent, something that will no doubt prove popular with passengers. Value route services on the Fleetwood – Larne, Liverpool – Dublin and Rosslare – Cherbourg routes appear almost identical to those offered in 1999, with exceptional value once again being a feature. Making these services even more attractive is the addition of "special offers" on all three routes such as a five-day single on the Fleetwood service at £99 for a car, driver and passenger Tuesday – Thursday anytime except June, July and August. Friday to Monday the same fare is £129.
P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Limited has welcomed its first deck officer cadet into the ranks. Raymond Patterson, from Peterhead in Scotland, was sponsored through the trust operated by one of me largest seafarer recruitment and training agencies in the UK, Clyde Marine Training Ltd. In September of this year, Raymond started his Nautical Studies course at Glasgow College. The course incorporates sea phases, the first of which began in early December aboard the EUROPEAN ENVOY. On the completion or his course, the young cadet will have gained an HND in Nautical Science and his first certificate of Competency as Officer of the Watch, allowing him to sail as a junior officer on board any vessel world wide. This is just the first step towards achieving his Class I Certificate of Competence as a Master Mariner and command of a vessel. As part of the P&O Group P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Ltd has an active policy of encouraging entry into the UK maritime industry.
STENA LINE MILK TRIP by Gary Andrews It is understood that one of Stena Line’s Belfast – Stranraer vessels has been chartered to operate a "milk run" on Christmas Day. It is not clear whether it is the STENA GALLOWAY or STENA CALEDONIA that is involved in working on 25 December. FARE INCREASES It is reported that Stena hope to see significant increases in passenger rates on their Belfast – Stranraer route in 2000. Stena are understood to still be making heavy losses on their STENA VOYAGER HSS service. STENA CHRISTMAS LAY-UPSSTENA VOYAGER and STENA GALLOWAY spent Christmas at Belfast with the STENA CALEDONIA at Stranraer. The STENA CALEDONIA was understood to be operating a sailing at 14.45 ex Stranraer and 19.45 ex Belfast on 26th December.
It appears that the MERCHANT VENTURE is due to come off charter to P&O European Ferries on 24 December. She was seen entering the Birkenhead Dock system in the early afternoon of 24th December in company with P&O’s EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER presumably for Christmas lay-up. The MERCHANT VENTURE berthed close to the Duke Street Bridge in West Float, at the same berth she occupied before going on charter to P&O. Gary Andrews writes that it is not clear how MERCHANT will be replaced at Larne. With the MERLE imminently due to be returned to Dart Line at the time of going to press (if she hasn’t already been) it may be possible that the MERCHANT VENTURE will see service on the Heysham – Dublin route. Meanwhile it appears Merchant Ferries have no plans to use the VARBOLA in the foreseeable future. The Estonian Shipping Company Website still states that the vessel is chartered for the Heysham – Dublin route and that the vessel remains at anchor off Heysham. NORSE IRISH TERMINAL It appear that the ‘B&I gangway’ at Norse Irish Ferries’ Liverpool terminal has not been completely demolished, just made safe. It seems that the internal telescopic section and some panelling have been removed. Reports suggest that a dented MERSEY VIKING may be responsible for the damage to the disused gangway. WAVERLEY STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY A proposed premium fare Millennium Cruise to be operated by the BALMORAL is reported by the CCA journal to have been cancelled. Last week it was reported that Mersey Ferries had also cancelled a premium fare Millennium Cruise due to lack of interest. Stuart Cameron writes that P.S. WAVERLEY arrived at Great Yarmouth on 21stDecember to commence her major refit at the George Prior shipyard. She had left Avonmouth on Sunday 19th but only reached Ilfracombe before encountering significant swell. Captain Graham Gellatly decided to shelter at Swansea for some time before a lull in the almost continuous gales allowed the sea to calm sufficiently to enable WAVERLEY safe passage round Lands End. She called at Southampton (QE2 berth) for bunkers before proceeding to Great Yarmouth where the yard is occupied this year by two Glasgow registered ships WAVERLEY and HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS. It is believed that Prior have already ordered the necessary steel to complete the work and the two new boilers have recently completed their pressure test at their manufacturer's - Cochran Boilers at Annan, Scotland Of the five tender bids received for WAVERLEY's 'rebuild' there were two clear contenders - Prior and the other on the Clyde - but Prior won through on the basis of good reports on quality of work from prominent customers and the fact that most of the work is being done 'in-house'. This outweighed a preference to do the work on the Clyde thus preserving the vessel's heritage as the last in a very long line of Clyde built paddle steamers. DRAMATIC NIGHT-LONG RESCUE OF HISTORIC TUGBrian Chamber’s Rosslare Europort website mail list http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/2982 reported on the rescue of the historic tug GOLDEN GROSS and her crew off Rosslare on 20th December. The photographs below show the Cunard sponsored GOLDEN CROSS at PENZANCE on 29th October in the much calmer water’s of Penzance Dock, Cornwall. The GOLDEN CROSS is famous for handling the famous Cunard "Queens" and is often to be seen visiting ports around Britain and Ireland.
Rosslare Harbour Life Boat and the Kilmore Life Boat were in a all night long
rescue operation off the South Coast, very brave men in both Life Boats had to
contend 30ft waves and gale force 10 winds. The two lifeboats were called out at
22.30hrs to a stricken 90ft. Tug, the "GOLDEN CROSS", the tug got into
difficulty about 12 miles off Tuskar Rock, on the South East Coast.
R.N.L.I Honorary Secretary with Rosslare Harbour Life Boat, Buddy Millar, who
had been monitoring the rescue from the Life Boat Station said they were the
worst conditions the Life Boat crew had encountered in the past 10 years. So bad
were the conditions that the Irish Marine Emergency Service 116 Sikorsky rescue
Helicopter from Dublin, could not get any of the people off the Tug. It was also
too dangerous for the Life Boat to go alongside the vessel to take off the crew,
as it was rolling violently because the tug had lost all of its power.
Strintzis Lines has confirmed that the SUPERFERRY has been chartered to Swansea – Cork Ferries for a further year. The service will resume in March 2000. CAMMELL LAIRD ISLE OF MULL departed on Thursday 23rd December. She had completed compass adjustments by 10.55 and put to sea. P&OSL PROVENCE remains in the yard, its lifeboats having been reattached some days ago. Work is reported to have started
on a new covered dock capable of building 40,000-tonne ships at Cammell Laird on
Tyneside. CHANGING FACE OF CLYDE SHIPPING by Stuart Cameron Many units of the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet are also leaving Scottish waters for refit work in the Tyne and Mersey. This seems to be due to the fact that the value of the work requires it to go to competitive tender under EC rules. There is growing concern on the Clyde about the future of the local ship repair facilities in the current climate and on a more speculative note the availability of local dry-docking in unforeseen / emergency situations such as occurs from time to time. On the shipbuilding front there is more activity on the Clyde in the four remaining shipbuilding yards. The highly successful and prosperous Ferguson Shipbuilders at Port Glasgow is well advanced on the construction of the new Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy ferry HEBRIDES which will enter service in 2000 (a close sister of the Appledore built CLANSMAN). The yard is currently fitting out the large anchor handling tug STIRLING IONA for the Glasgow-based Stirling Shipping (part of Harrison (Clyde) Ltd) the largest offshore service vessel company in the UK. It is the fourth vessel in recent years to be built by Ferguson for Stirling - the others being STIRLING CLYDE, STIRLING SPEY and STIRLING TAY. Ferguson's is also working on the construction of a new tender vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board. It will replace the well known tender FINGAL which was the last ship to be built by the old Blythswood Shipbuilding Company at Glasgow (in 1961). Sadly the new vessel will not be a repeat of the Oban-based tender PHAROS which was built by Ferguson in the early 90s and which bore some of the classic lines of FINGAL and her contemporaries PHAROS (1955) and POLE STAR. The new vessel will be more utilitarian in appearance, somewhat resembling the ocean tug / offshore supply vessel profile. Down in Ayrshire Ailsa Troon have made a strong return to shipbuilding after a gap of about a dozen years. After building a number of large seagoing trawlers they are now engaged in the construction of Caledonian MacBrayne's new ferry to serve the Small Isles from Mallaig. The LOCH NEVIS, which will enter service in the first half of 2000, bears some resemblance to the Armadale ferry LORD OF THE ISLES which she will join at Mallaig. However, she is much smaller than the 'Lord' perhaps more in line with the size of the four Clyde 'Maids' of the 1950s. She will displace the 20 year old LOCHMOR and there is some speculation that that vessel will see service on the Clyde route to Kilcreggan - currently under the auspices of Clyde Marine's 61 year old KENILWORTH, an ex Hythe ferry. Ailsa Troon are also building 10 advanced amphibious landing vessels to be assigned to the two new assault ships (Bulwark and Hermes?) being built at BAE Systems, Barrow (ex VSEL) BAE Systems are also responsible for the operation of the other two Clyde shipyards - both on the Upper Clyde in Glasgow. The Scotstoun Shipyard (formerly Yarrows) is completing the last two type 23 frigates for RN - PORTLAND and ST ALBANS - and is also building 3 offshore patrol ships for the Royal Brunai Navy. It is believed that it recently lost work on ships for Chile due to the Pinochet affair. However, it has just been named as the lead yard in the design / construction of the new Type 45 destroyer which will start to replace the existing Type 42 destroyers from about 2007. BAE Systems have also just taken a 20 year lease on the Govan Shipyard (ex Kvaerner ex UCS ex Fairfield) following the Kvaerner Group's worldwide withdrawal from shipbuilding. In a fairly complex deal the 135 year old yard (extensively modernised by Kvaerner in its 10 year tenure) has been sold to port operator Clydeport plc who have leased it to BAE Systems. At present the last two Kvaerner ships - the wellhead test vessel CRYSTAL OCEAN and the Icebreaker BROVIG VIKING - are nearing completion and BAE Systems have transferred construction of one of two fleet oilers from their Barrow yard where it was behind schedule. The Govan yard has been short-listed for the construction of six large ferries for MOD to be placed next spring. Like most of the offshore construction industry UIE Shipbuilding's two yards - at Clydebank (ex John Brown) and Port Glasgow (the latter on lease from Clydeport plc ) are closed and on a care and maintenance footing at present. Earlier this year they completed two very large contracts to modernise / convert two floating production units Bleoholm (at Clydebank) and Balder (at Port Glasgow). Elsewhere on the Clyde there are new developments which are taking over derelict space previously utilised as port or shipbuilding areas. Extensions have been added to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre which is built on the site of the in filled Queens Dock. A new National Science Centre and IMAX Cinema complex is being built on the former Princes Dock and they may be joined soon by a new headquarters for BBC Scotland. A commercial leisure development has been built on the site of the former British Steel ore import facility at General Terminus in the heart of the city. In the Autumn a £260m shopping and retail complex opened at Braehead (opposite the Yarrow shipyard) on land once designated for an extension of the dock system but never utilised as such. The new complex incorporates a maritime heritage centre called 'Clydebuilt' which records some of the history of the Clyde and its 40 plus shipyards. Exhibits include the 127 year old coaster KYLES and the steam yacht CAROLA. Clydeport plc and the Bank of Scotland have lodged plans for a massive commercial leisure, retail and residential development valued at £500m to stretch along the north bank of the river from Yorkhill Quay (one time base of the famous Anchor Line and now home of the recently restored 3 masted barque GLENLEE - built by Rodger in Port Glasgow in 1896) to the mainly defunct Meadowside Granary (the largest in Europe at its peak) The Granary building is one of the largest brick buildings in the UK and is visible for miles - impressive by its bulk rather than its architectural merits - and it is unclear if it will survive in the redevelopment. The new development will be known as 'Glasgow Harbour' and aims to emulate some of the features of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf - presumably with adaptation to the Scottish climate. There are plans for at least 2 - possibly 3 - new bridges across the Clyde in Glasgow and this may eventually require WAVERLEY to move from her base at Anderson Quay to a more seaward location although I understand that imposing such restrictions on the Upper river will require an Act of Parliament. Downriver at Greenock the former Scotts shipyards at Cartsdyke and Cartsburn are now populated by commercial office developments. At Port Glasgow there are plans to develop the former Lithgow shipyards at Kingston, Glen and East for retail development although Clydeport plc also have plans to use part of the site for a large ferry terminal. (Incidentally Clydeport have also been linked to the provision of a new ferry harbour at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye to try to tempt Caledonian MacBrayne away from the present facility at Uig.)
BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS by Gary Andrews SCOTTISH MARINE SCENE NEW ONLINE WEB DISCUSSION FORUM from Colin Smith Are you on the Internet? Are you interested in ships and shipping in and around Scotland? If so, you’ll want to talk to fellow ship enthusiasts. You can now do so on the World Wide Web by visiting the newly launched Scottish Marine Scene discussion group at www.egroups.com/group/scotships The site is a discussion forum and will be of interest to anyone who follows Scottish shipping, including ferries, steamers, cargo ships, port movements, cruise ships, tall ships, maritime heritage, naval activities, shipbuilding and any other aspect of the maritime scene in Scottish waters. So get posting and let’s have your news, views, and comments. Just register you password on the homepage and you can get talking. And don’t forget to join in our online opinion polls.
20 DECEMBER 1999 SECOND NEWS UPDATE - FIRST UPDATE BELOW NOTES & NEWS A number of new items arrived soon after the posting early this morning, in addition to the discovery of omitted material. SEA CONTAINERS LADY OF MANN - reported running down in Langton Lock Monday Evening 20 December. Liverpool Coastguard reports gales coming in. SEACAT ISLE OF MAN - On Monday 20th December the fire brigade were called at around 23.20 when a fire was reported to have broken out in the engine room. It is thought that heat from a welder's torch started the fire. One man was rescued from the vessel and taken to Fazakerley Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. Four fire crews and a aerial platform from Kirkdale and Canning Place stations attended the fire, confining the blaze to the engine space and jet propulsion room. CAMMELL LAIRD The company is reported to be bidding for a large multi-million pound contract for the construction of 10 ro/ro ferries for the Philippine Government. The construction contract is worth £500 million. The vessels would be constructed at the company's Tyneside yard at Hebburn. Lairds comprise part of a UK consortium which is competing against French and Japanese companies. The press reports that to help secure the deal, the company wants government support to guarantee a 20 year financing package. Brett Martin, Cammell Laird deputy chief executive said it would need to offer the possibility of interest rate support so that a deal could be agreed with commercial banks. BIBBY LINE Bibby, the Liverpool based shipping company, in association with Securicor, the security company and prison contractor has responded to a Home Office request to provide accommodation for refugees. A former prison ship which could accommodate unto 260 refugees could be brought to the Mersey. The vessel is one of several massive accommodation barges in the Bibby fleet. Liverpool City Council has already opposed the plan objecting to the idea of keeping refugees in a separate community and drawing parallels to Victorian Prison hulks. Though it must be admitted the accommodation on board these accommodation barges is of good quality. LIVERPOOL BOUND VESSEL BEACHES IN BELFAST HARBOUR Belfast Coastguard was called
by the Deputy Harbour Master on 18th December at 04.15 to report that a Dutch
coaster, BERNICE, which had been travelling through the buoy channel, was about
to beach on mud flats on Belfast shore. The Coastguard tasked the Bangor Inshore
Lifeboat and Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and also informed the
police. Once on scene it was discovered that no further search and rescue action
would be required and that the crew of six would stay on board for the
foreseeable future. Ten minutes later it was reported that BERNICE, a 73-metre
cargo vessel registered in Pijnaker, Holland, had grounded off the Royal North
Yacht Club.
P&O CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TIME TABLE.
(Liverpool, Fleetwood & Ardrossan).
Fleetwood - Larne.
No sailings 24 - 27 December.
28 - 30 December - 22.00 Sailing ex Fleetwood
and Larne.
No sailings 31 December - 2 January.
3 January - 22.00 Sailing ex Fleetwood and
Larne.
4 January - 10.00 and 22.00 sailings ex
Fleetwood and Larne.
Ardrossan - Larne.
24 December - 02.30 ex Ardrossan, 09.00 ex
Larne.
25 - 28 December - No sailings.
29 - 30 December - 02.30 ex Ardrossan, 19.00 ex
Larne.
31 December - 4 January - No sailings.
5 January - 02.30 ex Ardrossan, 19.00 ex
Larne.
Liverpool - Dublin.
24 - 28 December - No sailings.
29 - 30 December - 22.00 ex Liverpool and
Dublin.
31 December - 3 January - No sailings.
4 January - 22.00 ex Liverpool, 16.00 and 22.00
ex Dublin.
5 January - 04.00, 10.00 and 22.00 ex
Liverpool and 10.00, 16.00 and 22.00 ex Dublin.
20 DECEMBER 1999 [First Update] NOTES & NEWS First of all I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Now I would like to make some apologies. Over the last few weeks the Sunday update has been going up later than usual and often after 21.00 and this week will be no exception. Today’s update has been particularly large and has required much work as you can see. However, I am sure the material will be adequate compensation for the slight update delay. I have had so much material this week that several new gallery pages have had to be held over until next week which should ensure a large Christmas holiday update. I am pleased to announce that Mersey & Irish Sea Shipping will be updated at the usual times during the holiday period. There may also be other updates, though these may be more along maintenance lines. Finally I would like to thank the many people who have written in during the past week. If readers are wondering why I don't provide a list of acknowledgements each week, that is because some readers prefer anonymity and it is easier to ensure this by not mentioning names. Once again I hope I have been able to respond to everyone who has e-mailed. But as I always say, if you have not heard from me after a few days, please e-mail again.
SEA CONTAINERS SEACAT SCOTLAND: The Daily Record has reported that on 15 December the had to be towed back to Troon following the craft losing power on it's sailing to Belfast. It is unclear as to which sailing this involved, however it seems likely to have been the 11.15 sailing to Belfast. On 16 December all SeaCat sailings ex Belfast were operated to Stranraer, on what can be described as the "exceptional circumstances" timetable. This timetable appears to be used at times of technical breakdown, and when potentially poor weather dictates the need for a shorter crossing and appears to involve Belfast - Stranraer sailings at 08.00, 15.30 and (approximately) 20.00. SUPERSEACAT THREE was involved in a rescue drama in the Irish Sea on 13th December when it went to the aid of a sinking yacht. SSC3 is reported by the local press to have gone 20 miles off her normal route from the Isle of Man to Liverpool to answer a distress call from the four man crew of the steel sailing ketch EMMA LOUISE. The SuperSeaCat arrived within seven minutes of receiving the call to discover that the EMMA LOUISE's engine had failed and that she was shipping water. A RAF helicopter from Anglesey and a lifeboat from Llandudno were also scrambled to assist in the rescue. Simon Dey, spokesman for Sea
Containers commented to the local press: "We left for Liverpool at 07.30
when we got the May Day call through from a yacht 20 miles from the coast of
Douglas. It is usually a very busy sailing at this time of the morning with
almost 500 people on board. We answered the distress call. When a boat is in
trouble the first boat to get the signal will answer the call." A Liverpool Coastguard spokesman said: "The SuperSeaCat waited while a lifeboat was sent out. None of the people on board were lifted from the boat. We managed to get enough water pumped out and get the steering back. The boat was then towed to Conwy." SuperSeaCat, which has been due to arrive in Liverpool at 10.00 was delayed by around estimated 40 minutes. This Wednesday saw a film crew on board working on a "fly on the wall" documentary "Ferry Tales" which is to be screened on BBC 1 in the summer. Produced by the same company responsible for the notorious "Nightclub" series featuring the Grafton Club in Liverpool, it should prove entertaining watching during the summer months. On Thursday the prevailing weather gave SUPERSEACAT THREE a rather bumpy trip to Dublin, the vessel heading off in the direction of the Isle of Man to gain some shelter before changing course for Dublin. She did not operate the 21.00 sailing to Douglas. She resumed operations on Friday evening, taking out the 21.00 sailing to Douglas. A trip on SUPERSEACAT THREE on Saturday revealed a complete lack of Christmas decorations. One of the pleasant things about ferry travel this time of year is seasonal decorations to be found in terminals and on board ship. Last year was no exception. However, SSC3's interior looked surprisingly bare for the time of year – presumably Christmas has been cancelled? At least my last trip on Merchant Ferries revealed a lot of effort being put into making the ship look seasonal back in November. The terminals at Liverpool and Dublin were of course suitably decorated. LADY OF MANN It had been the intention that the LADY would operate the 21.00 sailing from Liverpool to Douglas on Thursday evening due to deteriorating conditions. However, the sailing was cancelled, the LADY OF MANN operating the 11.00 sailing from Liverpool to Dublin and its return on Friday. The 07.30 sailing from Douglas on Friday being cancelled.
Sea Containers Irish Sea 2000 brochure "Proud Of Our Routes" makes very interesting reading. The brochure is quite unique in the UK ferry
business in that whilst featuring timetables it does not feature any fares, even
the special offers are merely described as opposed to detailed, the idea being
for passengers to find out the best price at the time of booking. It remains to
be seen how well this concept appeals to customers in the UK and Ireland. Also
new is that the brochure is printed in two versions "UK departures"
and "Ireland Departures". The "Ireland Departures" edition
features details of attractions in Great Britain and vice versa. The
"Ireland Departures" edition also features details of the Isle of Man
Belfast and Dublin routes. Strangely the "UK Departures" edition does
not feature Douglas - Heysham and Liverpool details, it seems rather a waste to
require a separate brochure for these services. Much is still to be confirmed regarding Sea
Containers' plans for 2000, which differ from those of 1999. Although
unconfirmed it now seems fairly certain that the SUPERSEACAT TWO will operate
Belfast - Heysham, SUPERSEACAT FOUR operate Newhaven - Dieppe and SEACAT DANMARK
operate Göteborg - Frederikshavn. However, several other issues remain
unresolved. NEW HOVERSPEED GRAPE SHOP OPENS by Gary Andrews Hoverspeed's has opened a second branch of its popular GrapeShop, selling goods free of UK duty and tax, at its Dieppe terminal. The new store is situated in the foot passenger terminal in Dieppe, and includes a range of over 100 wines from around the world. Hoverspeed is expecting the weekend of 17 - 19 December to be the busiest yet as cross-Channel bargain hunters head for France for the last weekend before Christmas. The SUPERSEACAT TWO is currently operating on
her winter schedule and crosses from Newhaven to Dieppe at 08.30 on Fridays -
Mondays, returning from Dieppe at 17.00. ELLAN VANNIN The new book relating the loss of the Isle of Man Steam Packet ship ELLAN VANNIN, "THE ELLAN VANNIN STORY" is reported to have sold out its first print run after being published just two weeks ago. A reprint will be on sale in February. TYNWALD Geoff Hamer reports that Linee Lauro (www.lauro.it)
are planning to operate a new route next year. This winter, the LAURO EXPRESS
(ex ANTRIM PRINCESS, ex TYNWALD) runs one sailing a week from Napoli to Tunis
(taking 19 hours) and one a week from Trapani in Sicily to Tunis (8 hours). From
1 June, there will be a new weekly sailing from La Spezia to Tunis, taking 25
hours, in addition to Napoli-Tunis, Trapani-Tunis and summer-only sailings from
Napoli to Palau, Sardinia, and Porto Vecchio, Corsica; the summer services are
shared with the smaller ex-Japanese ANNA MARIA LAURO. It is assumed that the
former Sealink LAURO EXPRESS will operate the longer run to La Spezia, unless
Linee Lauro is buying a bigger ship. The 1967-built, LAURO EXPRESS has a
1,000-passenger capacity and has had cabins added by Lauro, however, the firm's
vessels are generally regarded as inferior to those operated by others in the
Bay of Naples and it remains to be seen how successful the new 25 hour route
will be. ESTONIAN SHIPPING COMPANY by Gary Andrews At the time of writing the use of the Estonian Shipping Company's VARBOLA remained unclear. The Estonian Shipping Company website indicates that the vessel is still on charter to Merchant Ferries, however, the freight ferry appears to have been at anchor off the Lancashire coast since the SAGA MOON re-entered service on the Heysham - Dublin route on 4 December. It had been expected the ship was to have "received orders" on 13 December (not 13 November as stated last week), however as at 17 December there was no indication a new deployment for the VARBOLA. VAN DER GEISSEN DE NOORD Enthusiasts who follow the products of the Netherland's ship builder will be interested to view the pictures of the BLUE STAR 1 which was launched on Saturday 18th December. I am indebted to Hans Mauritz for these pictures.
WAVERLEY STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY Stuart Cameron wrote this week that P.S. WAVERLEY left Avonmouth at 2100 on Tuesday for Great Yarmouth where she is to be refitted. However, she encountered poor conditions and had to return to Avonmouth on Wednesday 15 December. Apparently another attempt is to be made on the weekend 18/19th December. MANXLINK MAGAZINE Adrian Sweeney informs me that there is a delay in the publication of the next Isle of Man Steam Packet Enthusiast’s MANXLINK MAGAZINE. The Magazine should have been published in November; however, it will now appear during January. MERSEY FERRIES John Shepherd reports that the £200 per head Mersey Ferries Millennium Cruise on the ROYAL DAFFODIL has been cancelled due to lack of bookings. What was it I said last week about Millennium Events being cancelled? MERSEY DOCKS & HARBOUR COMPANY Mersey Docks & Harbour Company has again revealed plans for new Irish Sea ferry terminals at Twelve Quays on the Birkenhead Dock estate. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company is investing £27 million in the terminal development. An artist's impression, which has appeared in the local press, shows the Wallasey Dock filled in and used as a trailer marshalling yard. Work is expected to commence after an Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken and the terminal should be completed in around 15 months. It is hoped that it could be operational in 2001. Of course both the Birkenhead and Liverpool ro/ro terminals have been promised as being imminent for many years. One wonders if this time something will materialise. Irish Sea ferry operators desperately need such facilities. The Birkenhead Twelve Quays site will be used by Cenargo [Merchant Ferries and Norse Irish Ferries] services to Dublin and Belfast. P&O services will be handled on the Liverpool side of the river by a new ro/ro terminal in the river off Langton Dock. JHL’S COMMENT: The new terminal developments might be good for freight and private vehicle traffic, they are certainly not ideal for foot passengers (particularly with all the operators concerned moving in the direction of carrying increased numbers of passengers.) An efficient bus link needs to be provided to the main railway and coach station at Liverpool for the benefit of foot passengers arriving by public transport. One hopes that adequate parking facilities are also available at the terminals to facilitate parking for those passengers who do not wish to take their vehicles. STENA LINE STENA LYNX III managed to get away from Wright
and Bayer’s on Wednesday evening and return to Fishguard – Rossalare route
in time for the Christmas rush. On 7 December, a fire broke in one of the HSS
STENA DISCOVERY's four gas turbines. The fire broke out as the craft was
entering the New Waterway at around 15.00 CET nearing the end of her crossing
from Harwich. The crew initially fought the fire and after the arrival of the
craft at the Hoek van Holland berth, the fire brigade took over and reported the
fire extinguished Brian Chambers reports that an
unidentified French Company is expected to start a Rosslare - Brest service in
February 2000. Sailings from Ireland will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Saturdays with the unidentified vessel due for berthing trials in January. Visit
Brian Chambers' Rosslare Europort website at http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/2982. by Gary Andrews Despite an expectation of a visit to the
Mersey on 5 December possibly spelling the end of her charter, it appears that
the MERCHANT VENTURE is continuing to operate on P&O European Ferries'
services from Larne. The EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER paid a brief visit to Belfast's
Harland & Wolff shipyard this week, possibly in connection with her recent
grounding. It is unknown when the vessel arrived at the yard but she was seen
leaving at 10.00 on 15 December, reaching Larne at around 11.20. CAMMELL LAIRD P&OSL PROVENCE, PEREGRINE VII and ISLE OF MULL were in the Birkenhead yard on Saturday 18th December. This week it was announced that the company has sold one of the offshore vessels acquired earlier this year from the receivers of British shipowner Lowline as part of a package of assets, which included the passenger ship EDINBURGH CASTLE. The charter of the latter vessel being announced recently. JAMES FISHER / PACIFIC NUCLEAR TRANSPORT Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd, the company whose nuclear transport vessels are managed by James Fisher and Sons plc, the Barrow and Liverpool ship owners stands to lose up a to a third of its business after Japan announced this week that it will no longer accept plutonium mixed oxide fuel consignments from Britain. The industry ministry in Japan took the decision after revelations that quality assurance data from British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) have been falsified. Separately, utility company Kansai Electric said that it would abandon plans to use mixed oxide fuel from BNFL. Mixed oxide fuel shipments to Japan typically make up two of between six to eight consignments moved by Pacific Nuclear - the world's only dedicated nuclear carrier - each year. Fortunately Pacific Nuclear, a subsidiary of
BNFL, has other business on the cards. Earlier in the year there was controversy
when PNTL became the first Merchant Navy vessels to be armed since the end of
WWII. C.TOMS & SONS – BODINNICK to FOWEY FERRY On 17 December a car rolled off the C. Toms
& Son operated Bodinnick - Fowey ferry at Fowey in Cornwall. The incident
occurred after the car's handbrake failed, and it is believed that the car ended
up floating in the water. Fortunately no one was injured in the potentially
fatal occurrence. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's
Penzance to St. Mary's service - which has an excellent track record on safety -
will have to register by computer, names, gender and ages of all passengers from
January 1. NEW WEB SITE GEORGE ROBBINS has started a new
website, mainly to cover short-sea traders in the Humber, especially at Goole
where I will be working as Port Manager from 1/1/2000. http://www.zdf66.ukgateway.net/index.htm
12 DECEMBER 1999 NOTES & NEWS This has been a notable week for anyone interested in maritime affairs on Merseyside. The high spot of the week and possibly the year was the renaming and re-flagging of the VISTAFJORD as CARONIA at Liverpool’s Prince’s Landing Stage on Friday. The ceremony was a polished and well-organised event, which attracted a lot of, interest both locally and further a field. The event made the front page of at least one quality daily newspaper on Saturday morning. I have also written this week on a couple of matters of a more controversial nature: The installation of a large statue of Christ in the centre of the Albert Dock and the decision to close off a large part of the Pier Head in preparation for the Millennium Celebrations. Once again there was an additional new update on Monday 6th December, therefore, if you visited the site last Sunday, you will have missed this news posting which mainly contained articles from Gary Andrews. You will find this below this present bulletin. Users may also like to know that the technical difficulties concerning the update of the M&ISS Archive and Back-Up news site have been resolved and back up copies of the weekly news bulletins will be available on there from Monday 13th December. From January 2000 all of the 1999 news and voyage reports will be transferred to the backup site. On the subject of Voyage Reports, once again I must disappoint on my recent Merchant Ferries trip with pupils from school. Whilst the report is now written I thought a few photographs of the group on board would make the article more interesting. Unfortunately the negatives taken on board are in school and this means it will not appear until next week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all correspondents again this week. Thanks for the input. SEA CONTAINERS The continuing bad weather caused further disruption this week and saw the LADY OF MANN in action again; here are some of the highlights: BEN-MY-CHREE – All sailings were cancelled on 8th December. SEACAT ISLE OF MAN – Moved from Vittoria Dock to Canada Dry Dock for refit work by Wright and Beyer. SUPERSEACAT THREE – Was out of service until the 21.00 sailing to Douglas on Thursday due to adverse weather conditions in the early part of the week. SEACAT DANMARK – an observer reports that
SCD did not operate her Belfast to Heysham roundtrip on 6th December
and did not appear to be operating her 18.15 sailing to Troon on the same date. SEACAT AB CHANGES by Gary Andrews It is understood Sea Containers subsidiary SeaCat AB will cease operating the SUPERSEACAT ONE on the |
