Comment posted CalMac lists some summer madnesses around water by ferryman.
“Mr Fulton points out that, although rare, it is not unknown for people to suddenly decide to jump from a ferry into the sea. The plain fact is that this is almost never survivable.”
This kind of madness is presumably more likely to happen when boats are busy, people are having a bit of “fun” and perhaps a few drinks. That would be the sort of thing that might happen say around the Cowal Games or perhaps the Mod?
The Ali Cat on the Dunoon Gourock route does not carry a rescue boat for dealing with somebody falling overboard. As a result she has a restriction that she should only sail in fine, clear, settled weather. It is a good job we always get that kind of weather in August (Cowal Games) and October (Mod) isn’t it?
Obviously CalMac would not dream of breaking restrictions. It is really quite surprising what exceptionally good weather we have been having this past year, fine, clear and settled almost every day.
Last August, just in case it rained, the MV Saturn was used as a backup to the bathtub boats. This year she is not available, it seems CalMac let her fall into disrepair. So at the moment nobody known what the ferry arrangements will be in August. Presumably a decent ferry (and some money to pay for it) will be pulled from somewhere – or maybe not.
Recent comments by ferryman
- Argyll Flyer in Ardmaleish boatyard
Will the current linkspan works be completed by Friday 21/June?Working on the linkspan while the Argyll Flyer was having its recent scheduled maintenance would have made sense, but they did not do it.
Bring forward maintenance on the Argyll Flyer by a minimum of 6 months and more than likely 8-9 months seems odd.
Why are they not waiting till September to work on the Argyll Flyer. That is closer to when she is due her maintenance and I hear the Gourock linkspan will be out of action again then?
- Shetland Line remains in legal contention with Scottish Government on Northlink Ferries tender
Regarding the Dunoon Gourock ferry service one of the ‘needs and requirements’ the Scottish Government failed to specify was that the vessels employed could actually operate reliably in the weather on the Firth of Clyde.How incompetent is that!
- Argyll Flyer spotted going into Ardmaleish yard on Bute this afternoon
The Ali Cat was having technical problems whilst the Argyll Flyer was being maintained recently, resulting in periods of no service.
Following its maintenance the Argyll Flyer was indeed continuing to suffer technical problems.
The linkspan at Gourock is now being serviced with the result that the Argyll ferries is, once again running a reduced service. This happened right through the Dunoon Film Festival.
It is beyond belief that the Argyll Flyer maintenance and the repairs to the linkspan should not have been planned to run concurrently and without clashing with the Film Festival. - Scottish Government forced to intervene on loose-mouthed Russell gaffe in Campbeltown
JimB asked “why does Dunoon not set out to attract day trippers?”Dunoon would make an excellent destination for people from Glasgow seeking both Day Tripper and Weekend Breaks.
Why don’t they come though?
Well they certainly won’t drive the long way round, it is too far. There are plenty of other attractive destinations that are closer to home.
A relatively short drive and the pleasant experience of a ferry crossing to the town ought to be attractive, but then we hit the price barrier – £44.50 for a young family of 4 in a car.
Why would people pay that premium to come to Dunoon when they can go elsewhere?
The passenger only service is unattractive because of its unreliability.
What Dunoon needs is a truly competing vehicle ferry services.
- Reminder: Argyll Ferries on ‘refit’ service schedule
The scottish Government has failed to deliver on the transferable ferry tickets it was going to setup. The bus scheme is a bodge that adds anything upto two hours to travel time.Any news on what they are going to do for Cowal Games or are they just going to try another gamble on the weather.
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“Mr Fulton points out that, although rare, it is not unknown for people to suddenly decide to jump from a ferry into the sea. The plain fact is that this is almost never survivable.”
This kind of madness is presumably more likely to happen when boats are busy, people are having a bit of “fun” and perhaps a few drinks. That would be the sort of thing that might happen say around the Cowal Games or perhaps the Mod?
The Ali Cat on the Dunoon Gourock route does not carry a rescue boat for dealing with somebody falling overboard. As a result she has a restriction that she should only sail in fine, clear, settled weather. It is a good job we always get that kind of weather in August (Cowal Games) and October (Mod) isn’t it?
Obviously CalMac would not dream of breaking restrictions. It is really quite surprising what exceptionally good weather we have been having this past year, fine, clear and settled almost every day.
Last August, just in case it rained, the MV Saturn was used as a backup to the bathtub boats. This year she is not available, it seems CalMac let her fall into disrepair. So at the moment nobody known what the ferry arrangements will be in August. Presumably a decent ferry (and some money to pay for it) will be pulled from somewhere – or maybe not.
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