I do not want to think what would happen if this happens on the MV Isle of Lewis. Its loading ramp is rather lower down above the waterline, and bearing in mind the average conditions in the Minch - no, don't think about it.
Friday, 30 January 2009
The nightmare of all ferry passengers
This caught my eye on the Northern Ireland news: a lorry that broke through a stern door of the ferry plying between Stranraer and Larne. Apparently, the artic had broken loose and rammed through the ferry's stern doors. The hole was 30 feet above the waterline, and the ship was quickly made secure. Two hours into its voyage to Northern Ireland, the Stena Voyager returned to Scotland. However, because of the presence of the lorry, docking was impossible. Passengers remained on board overnight, until they were safely removed by emergency services, who then went about the busines of removing the offending lorry.
I do not want to think what would happen if this happens on the MV Isle of Lewis. Its loading ramp is rather lower down above the waterline, and bearing in mind the average conditions in the Minch - no, don't think about it.
I do not want to think what would happen if this happens on the MV Isle of Lewis. Its loading ramp is rather lower down above the waterline, and bearing in mind the average conditions in the Minch - no, don't think about it.
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As I board on Monday evening at Ullapool (hopefully,weather permitting as my journey has already been delayed) shall reflect on this story......but not too much as the idea of being on the barge is stay on the thing until I reach terra watsit.....probabilties/actuarial tables/water wings all ready. RJG
ReplyDeleteToo late Arnish, we've thought about it. brrrr. Female staff still has squeamish memories of journeys from Uig to Tarbert over the xmas period. Did I mention she really isn't fond of boats?
ReplyDeleteWell, with the "Estonia" catastrophe in mind, one can't be too careful. But surely the ferry could be turned with the intact end into the waves and brought safely, if slowly, to a safe haven?
ReplyDeleteI notice that this vessel is one of the high speed catamarans and the vehicle deck and therefore the doors seem to be higher above the waterline than is the case with monohull ships. Does this mean that the doors are less critical to the integrity of the vessel and so can be of lighter construction? Equally the Estonia was lost because the bow door was stove in, which resulted in new construction standards being introduced within Europe. Did the standard setters concentrate on the risk of doors being forced in by sea conditions and overlook the possibility of doors being forced outwards by shifting cargo? One thing is sure, there will now be measures taken to prevent a recurrence. The main thing is that there was no injury or loss of life.
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