Passengers on a Stena Line ferry from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast endured a turbulent night on the Irish Sea, as Storm Isha forced the Stena Estrid to go circling for several hours amid the crashing waves.
Stena Estrid as of midnight Afloat tracked to the fringe of Belfast Lough, was originally due to have arrived in Belfast Harbour at 6.30pm on Sunday. The E-Flexer class ferry instead was held up in the North Channel, until it was safe to berth at the ferry terminal in the early hours of Monday morning.
Many passengers posted footage of “really bad” conditions they were surrounded by as the ferry (covering in for dry-docking while away from regular Dublin-Holyhead service) had rocked from the rough tides and high winds.
On board was passenger, John Billings (41) from Ballygowan who said that the conditions were the worst he had ever seen but praised the crew for their professionalism.
“The captain came on and made everyone aware, telling us it would be a bit sketchy and that we might not get into Belfast until the early hours of the morning. He kept us all in the loop,” he told The Irish News.
“The sea was like something you would see on TV, I’ve never seen it as bad as that.
“It’s the worst one I’ve been on in fairness. Everyone was definitely glad to get off. As I was sitting having my breakfast bap this morning there was definitely a few people walking around like they’d had a rough night.”
In response, a Stena Line spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Isha, Stena Estrid was delayed in its usual arrival time in Belfast last night. The team onboard closely monitored the weather and once it was safe to berth, the vessel arrived at the terminal at 4.35am.
“As a result, last night’s 22:30 departure of Stena Estrid to Liverpool was delayed until 08:05hrs this morning.”
Stena Estrid was again tracked by Afloat this morning, as the cruiseferry had departed the port and by around 09:15hrs was leaving Belfast Lough bound for Merseyside.
More here on road based weather conditions.
