Scottish Domestic Ferries discussion

[link1driver]

25-30 is the normal life expectancy of a RoPax vessel. As the ship gets older she naturally becomes more expensive to run and maintain. Inspections /audits and surveys also increase, this is the natural life of a ship. Approaching 30 and still in daily use is good for a ferry.

Another issue with shipping is that unlike trains, aircraft & land vehicles ships are very unique, even some sister ships are built differently. Each new generation or design has bugs of its own which take time to work out. Materials change widely as does the quality or workmanship. One issue with tendering is that one shipyards practices may not be as good as the next so you could have a wide variety is the quality of new ships. Loch Seaforth was built by a German yard with a good reputation for quality, Bute & Argyle were built by a Polish yard which isn't as widely respected, only time will tell to be honest.

Just look at the difference in build quality and general ship handling between Clansman and Hebrides. Hebrides is a much better seaboat. I remember reading an article in Clyde Steamers about Captain McCrindle's differing experiences when handling them both, he said that because of the way the bridge wing ergonomics are set up on Clansman, he didn't have anywhere near the confidence of berthing her in difficult conditions compared to Hebrides, which was layed out more traditionally where the master is able to stand and use the controls facing in a forward direction, rather than sideways!

 

[kylemore]

Correct!

I was aware she still on the go. Imagine the delivery voyage taking her across the North Atlantic!

Yes rather you than me!

How would she have got across - Iceland and Greenland for bunkers or straight across with a couple of road tankers lashed to the deck!?

 

[GrimShady]

Yes rather you than me!

How would she have got across - Iceland and Greenland for bunkers or straight across with a couple of road tankers lashed to the deck!?

Interesting question, Iceland/Greenland would have the long way. The shortest route would have been a great circle to New Foundland. She must have crossed during the summer with large diesel container lashed to her decks. Must have taken at least 8-10 days at her speed given good weather and favorable sea conditions .

I wouldn't fancy taking that little thing all the way there!

 

[InOban]

How large and heavy is she? There are specialist boat transporter vessels which transport the playthings of the beautiful people from one gathering (Monaco, say) to another such as the Caribbean.

 

[GrimShady]

She was small at roughly 50m I think and could only have been around 300 Gross tons, not sure what her dead-weight was but certainly well withing the carrying ability of a Heavy Lift vessel back in the early 80s but what cost?

Modern Heavy lift vessels are capable of huge loads! Good examples were the return of HMS Endurance/RFA Sir Tristram back to the UK and USS Cole when she was bombed. Some of the biggest are the transport of semi-submersible platforms

 

[cf111]

The Hrossey has had to turn back to Aberdeen tonight after a wave smashed a window in the forward bar:

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/14487-hrossey-returns-to-port-after-windows-smash

NORTHLINK ferry MV Hrossey was forced to return to Aberdeen on Tuesday evening after water streamed into its front bar when some of its windows smashed in rough weather.

The northbound vessel, which is due to call at Kirkwall, is expected to set sail again later once staff have fixed the windows in Aberdeen.

NorthLink confirmed that "extreme weather conditions" caused damage to windows at the front of the vessel.

Passenger Euan McBride, who was near to the incident when it happened, said he saw "seawater pouring in" to the bar after hearing a smashing sound.

Staff were on hand to clean up the bar area after the incident. Photo: Euan McBride/Shetland News Staff were on hand to clean up the bar area after the incident. Photo: Euan McBride/Shetland News The boat left Aberdeen at 5pm but it turned around off the coast of Peterhead around one and a half hours later.

"I was in the bathroom at the front of the lounge trying not to be sick due to the rocking, then heard a dramatic crashing sound," McBride said.

"I thought it was the glassware behind the bar smashing and left to see what happened. When I came out there was another passenger who had been sleeping on one of the seats looking horrified as a window at the left of the boat had completely smashed in and there was glass everywhere and seawater pouring in the hole."

McBride said he and his fellow passenger were asked to leave the area by staff, who later attempted to mop up water.

He added there was talk on the boat that the incident was caused by a "freak wave".

NorthLink Ferries marine manager captain Stuart McCallum said in a statement: "We can confirm that passenger vessel MV Hrossey has returned to Aberdeen Harbour following extreme weather conditions which caused damage to the front-facing windows of the vessel located in the bar area.

"We are now working with the relevant contractors to ensure that the necessary repair work is carried out as soon as possible and that the vessel is safely prepared to continue its journey. MV Hrossey was bound for Kirkwall and Lerwick as timetabled."

Staff upgraded passengers to cabins for the night and issued breakfast tokens.

I've been aboard the Hrossey, Hjaltland, Hamnavoe and their predecessors on some awful nights but I've never had a window smash, must have been some wave!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Im actually rather amazed they saled tonight actually, normally they dont tend to go in this sort of weather. Wouldnt have liked to near that window but would rather have enjoyed the rough passage as im personally rather fond of a good bad weather voyage, the rougher the better and I can still drink whisky and eat a 3 course dinner.