Ferries

[+Gringo]

6 hours ago, IBM said:

I have been reading this article on BBC online which is a change from the normal news.

The Ferguson shipyard ships that nobody talks about - BBC News

What's gone wrong?  A company that was well run with a large experienced work force doing fine till people who don't know what they are doing take over running the company just looking to make a fortune without putting in the work.  They cut the staff getting rid of the most experienced workers to cut costs and hire others who are not up to doing the job!  It is so familiar throughout all industry now which is sad  and everyone blames the other.

Without dragging this off topic it's pretty much the same story in many industries these days. The Railways are a prime example. 

[Robert]

A fascinating article which highlights how easily mismanagement can wreck things. Hopefully they do secure the small vessel order given they successfully built those already ordered for them. 

[The Mantis]

Here’s one of the Loch Seaforth arriving in Ullapool in February. I was a bit late arriving so hope to get better shots next Friday. 

[The Mantis]

I think they’re launching this Glen Rosa thing at Port Glasgow on Tuesday. Just wondering about heading through for it.

[IBM]

46 minutes ago, The Mantis said:

Here’s one of the Loch Seaforth arriving in Ullapool in February. I was a bit late arriving so hope to get better shots next Friday. 

Good photo Mantis much better than you get from up a telephone pole  

I hope you get on!  It was double booked last week and the police were there to stop a riot, just as well it was before this new law was passed or they wouldn't be able to attend   There was a problem with the new computer system that cost them millions, might be Fujitsu   it worked fine when I used to phone them up to book always helpful.

[IBM]

55 minutes ago, The Mantis said:

I think they’re launching this Glen Rosa thing at Port Glasgow on Tuesday. Just wondering about heading through for it.

I think it might be a damp squib but you can always say you were there and get a few special photos.

[The Mantis]

14 hours ago, IBM said:

Good photo Mantis much better than you get from up a telephone pole  

I hope you get on!  It was double booked last week and the police were there to stop a riot, just as well it was before this new law was passed or they wouldn't be able to attend   There was a problem with the new computer system that cost them millions, might be Fujitsu   it worked fine when I used to phone them up to book always helpful.

I just got an email from them this morning at 8.07 as two of us are going over to Islay on the 26th. The email is thanking me for my standby booking yet I booked about 6 weeks ago! I’ll have to phone them. A four hour drive to Kennacraig plus accommodation paid for, not to mention all the distillery visits which is about another £100…

Edit- got it changed to a confirmed booking even though we’ll be arriving about 7pm on the Friday and leaving about 1pm Monday. It’s because the MV Finlaggan is away for its annual refit so the Heb Isles and the LOTI are filling in. Had been hoping to nip over to Jura on the Friday afternoon but hey ho…

Edited April 5, 2024 by The Mantis

[IBM]

I was expecting superb drone footage of the launch of Glen Rosa today   I did see it on line with the weather being blamed and a hitch with wasting a good bottle of malt whisky 

I was told a good story about Calmac that never makes the news.  At the port of Uig there was a full load booked and one large campervan on standby.  The loading officer thought he could take them all and put the campervan up front as normal with large vehicles but then they were left with one booked car not able to get on   an immediate shout was put out for all drivers to return to their vehicles, moving the forward a few inches the last car got onboard.  Great customer service all aboard

[Robert]

In case anyone is interested, Citylink are operating a coach service between Glasgow and Troon to connect with the Arran ferries operating there rather than Ardrossan until August to accommodate MV Alfred.

I’m told it’s normally operated by their first electric coach so a chance of an unusual photo if anyone is in the vicinity. 

Edited April 10, 2024 by Robert

[The Mantis]

On 4/9/2024 at 11:01 PM, IBM said:

I was expecting superb drone footage of the launch of Glen Rosa today   I did see it on line with the weather being blamed and a hitch with wasting a good bottle of malt whisky 

I was told a good story about Calmac that never makes the news.  At the port of Uig there was a full load booked and one large campervan on standby.  The loading officer thought he could take them all and put the campervan up front as normal with large vehicles but then they were left with one booked car not able to get on   an immediate shout was put out for all drivers to return to their vehicles, moving the forward a few inches the last car got onboard.  Great customer service all aboard

Aye I think the weather warnings were a bit ott but I decided not to go. Wasn't sure how busy it would be and was going early in order to get parked, and it's not very handy for food etc out at Fergusons. Wondered if it would be too wet for the drone but it seems to have been dry enough. Had a scary time in Glasgow last weekend - nearly lost it in the wind  Regretting it a wee bit now seeing all the photos.
I'm on a FB page called friends of calmac and there are countless stories about the kindness of the staff, despite 'non-friends' continually dragging it off topic. It angers many residents as Calmac actually have a reliability in the 97-99% range but the media have got a bee in their bonnet and apparently all the islands are cut off every week.
Anyway I'm off on the Loch Seaforth tomorrow so missing the QP game but I'll be in Sneckie next Friday night. So come and say hello if you’re in the North Stand - I sit with Caley100 and Billy Fisher and various TM4TJ incarnations.

Edited April 11, 2024 by The Mantis

[IBM]

High winds and a big swell forecast for tomorrow but the Loch Seaforth should glide through it or 

I am going to miss the Raith game on Friday night as I got tickets for Eddi Reader before the game was changed for TV so will have to see you the next time.

[The Mantis]

On 4/11/2024 at 8:32 PM, IBM said:

High winds and a big swell forecast for tomorrow but the Loch Seaforth should glide through it or 

I am going to miss the Raith game on Friday night as I got tickets for Eddi Reader before the game was changed for TV so will have to see you the next time.

Funny you should say that, got an email yesterday from Albert Halls in Stirling saying Eddi Reader is there on the 27th. We were there last month to see Beluga Lagoon! Not a massive fan but I’ll be in Islay anyway…

Seaforth was great just like the lasagne

[The Mantis]

MV Loch Seaforth arriving in Ullapool 12/4/2024 and at Stornoway 15/4/2024...

 

[IBM]

You have mastered the drone Mantis  not scared of it falling into the water 

[The Mantis]

On 5/15/2024 at 10:47 PM, IBM said:

You have mastered the drone Mantis  not scared of it falling into the water 

Mastering the photos is easy, but I'd be embarrassed to show you my efforts at shooting movies...
I was at my Shetland in-laws last summer and I flew it from Mainland to Mousa and back. Total of 7km. A big test, a bit nervous but it was fine. Apparently if you have line of sight it can go about 8km away.
Here's the Hebridean Isles arriving at Port Askaig last month.

Edited May 23, 2024 by The Mantis

[The Mantis]

May as well give this a bump.
Just back from Shetland as we had a Golden Wedding to attend, otherwise we wouldn't be going 2 years in a row. The Earl Thorfinn runs between Kirkwall and the Northern Isles. The Leirna does the short and pricey commuter run between Lerwick and Bressay. The twin sisters Dagalien and Daggri work between Toft (mainland) and Ulsta (Yell).

[IBM]

Thanks Mantis I really do miss travelling to all these islands especially at the expense of BT/Openreach I am feelin kind of homesick 

I was very lucky as my visits to the islands were often when things like Folk Festivals, Fiddle Frenzies, Vintage Vehicle rallies and even Up Helly Aa were on in different islands  

I remember arriving in Shetland and said to one of the local engineers it's only the food festival that is on and he replied that there is food, real ale and live music on at the harbour tonight 

 

[IBM]

Islanders bid a fond farewell to MV Hebridean Isles and I wonder if Mantis was still in Lewis for it's departure with his drone   a good ferry story from the BBC for a change and no word if it was over budget or late in delivery 

You would not see a launch like that now 

Islanders bid a fond farewell to MV Hebridean Isles - BBC News

 

[The Mantis]

On 11/18/2024 at 3:49 PM, IBM said:

Islanders bid a fond farewell to MV Hebridean Isles and I wonder if Mantis was still in Lewis for it's departure with his drone   a good ferry story from the BBC for a change and no word if it was over budget or late in delivery 

You would not see a launch like that now 

Islanders bid a fond farewell to MV Hebridean Isles - BBC News

 

Well you know how difficult it can be when you have a hobby such as photography or climbing or golf and you also have family...

We went across on Monday on the Isle of Lewis and came back on Sunday on the Loch Seaforth's first day back after its refit in Birkenhead. Glad to see the doggy bit has been shifted to the stern lounge as they were beginning to take over the whole boat...

Where we stay is an hour's drive from Stornoway so I don't go there too often. Mrs Mantis and her sister were doing some shopping on Thursday and it was a chance for the brother-in-law and me to have a poke about the harbour.

The Isle of Lewis had a gearbox problem the day before but had just departed at 1430 for Ullapool. I saw that the Heb Isles was meant to leave Ullapool at 1230 with freight and arrive in Stornoway at 1600. As it got near 1600 I checked the app and it hadn't left till 1430 so that put paid to that. Not sure what time the Heb Isles made its final departure on Sunday but it must have been before we got there.

I was on the Heb Isles in April to Islay and back for a weekend  as it was relieving the regular boat, the Finlaggan, so here's a couple taken at Kennacraig. I remember the sideways launch at Selby in 1985 very well and I think it went straight on to the Uig triangle. State of the art at the time.

Edited November 20, 2024 by The Mantis

[The Mantis]

The Swan is Shetland's Tall Ship and my brother-in-law is on the committee so I've been aboard a few times. Last week by chance she was in Ullapool getting a new mast so I was able to get a few snaps.

Edited November 20, 2024 by The Mantis

[IBM]

Cracking photos Mantis you never let us down  I am sure you must have enough to do a book on your travels