STENA VOYAGE REPORTS - 27th February 1999 by
Charlie Tennant
STENA LYNX III
10.00 Stranraer to Belfast
Access to the vessel which was berthed at the conventional linkspan was via the vehicle
deck. Embarkation 10.09 with departure at 10.26 due to the late incoming arrival.
STENA GALLOWAY was waiting off for the berth to be vacated. PRIDE OF RATHLIN was
seen berthed at Cairnryan. Sometime later an unidentified larger P&O Freighter could
be seen in the distance outbound from Larne.
On entering Belfast Lough we were passed by SEACAT SCOTLAND closely followed by STENA
CALEDONIA both making for Stranraer.
The outer berths at Belfast Harbour were occupied by DART 4 and a couple of smaller
container vessels. The Harland & Wolff dry dock was occupied by what looked like an
oil rig support vessel. HSS HSS STENA VOYAGER was at her berth with work continuing to her
starboard side which was sporting a number of large fresh fibreglass patches some reaching
below the waterline.
Arrival was at 12.08 after reversing into the conventional linkspan where we disembarked
via the vehicle deck and then by coach to the terminal building.
Although the sun was shining when we left Stranraer it soon became wet and wild. As a
result the open sea part of the crossing was the roughest I have experienced on a
fastcraft (Was it the weather or the craft?) so much so that my specs are now at the
bottom of the Irish Sea. Fortunately I was
carrying a spare pair!
12.20 Belfast to Stranraer
Back to the linkspan by coach with embarkation again via the vehicle deck. Departure at
12.44. On leaving Belfast Lough PRIDE OF RATHLIN was visible in the distance heading for
Larne and shortly afterwards we were passed by we were passed by STENA GALLOWAY then in
mid channel by SEACAT SCOTLAND both inbound for Belfast.
STENA CALEDONIA was visible ahead of us and was overtaken entering Loch Ryan and followed
us into Stranraer. EUROPEAN ENDEAVOR was berthed at Cairnryan. Arrival was at 14.30 and
disembarkation was again via the vehicle deck.
The return crossing was calm with sunshine all the way. It is amazing the difference a few
hours or I suppose a few minutes makes on the Irish Sea.
Charlie writes that STENA LYNX III is almost
completely white all over apart from name, home port and a metre long red stripe on the
nose cone which appears to have escaped repainting. There is no STENA or LYNX branding
STENA NEWS from Charlie Tennant
I took the opportunity to speak to a senior crew-member regarding the cause and damage to
HSS HSS STENA VOYAGER. According to him the craft was thrown against the original railway
pier at Stranraer by freak wave in very bad weather while reversing into her berth. He
also added that she was stuck fast at an angle blocking access to the conventional berth
and was not removed until a few days later when the full extent of the damage to the
starboard side was known. He did not make it clear whether this was with assistance or
under her own power. I noted no apparent damage to the pier but there is some fresh
concrete. He said that although repairs were currently taking place at her Belfast berth
he felt she would still need dry docked at least for a safety inspection but more likely
for further repair.
STENA CALEDONIA was returned to the Stranraer - Belfast route earlier in the week to
provide additional freight capacity. As the KONINGIN BEATRIX is away for refit it would
appear that the Fishguard - Rosslare route is currently being operated freight only by the
ROSEBAY on her own.
