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Displaying items by tag: Ferry disruption

Sailings to and from the Isle of Man will be disrupted at the end of the month as the ferry Ben-my-Chree undergoes repairs.

The ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said the (fastferry) Manannan would undertake daytime crossings between Douglas and Heysham from 30 October.

Due to the "scope and complexity" of the work needed, the Ben-my-Chree would be at Cammell Laird's (shipyard) facility for six days, the firm added.

Overnight freight sailings would be carried out by MV Arrow.

The vessel, which had been held on a long-term lease, was recently bought by the ferry firm as Afloat previously reported on the 84 trailer unit capacity freighter.

As a result of the changes, usual evening passenger sailings from the island to Lancashire, and the overnight return will not take place.

More from BBC News including an apology from the ferry operator due to the disruption.

Published in Ferry

As Afloat reported this afternoon the impact of Storm Barra on shipping included Stena Estrid which finally entered Dublin Port albeit some 3 and a 1/2 hours late, ironically the same time it takes to sail from Holyhead, writes Jehan Ashmore

When the Wales-Ireland ferry could not enter the port at around 12 noon due to the heavy gusts, Stena Estrid had to ride out the storm during the Orange status weather warning. This led to the ferry head as far off the Co.Wicklow coast before returning to Dublin Bay.

It transpires the ferry did not enter Dublin Port as previously envisaged, has as soon as Afloat reported, the leadship E-flexer class ferry was observed heading back out into Dublin Bay. The ferry then circled around the bay's north and south Burford buoys, before returning again to the north Burford bouy off the Baily Lighthouse to begin finally an inbound sailing

This took place from mid-afternoon, however likewise of fleetmate Stena Adventurer which too was disrupted this morning until tugs arrived to enable a departure, the Stena Estrid had a pair of tugs to assist arrival when berthing in the port.

Note on this occasion of the DPC tug pair, only Beaufort resumed further duties as the second tug required this time involved the Giano. The ASD excort tug is operated by Purple Water Towing with an address in Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7.

Giano handled towing operations on the starboard side of Stena Estrid with Beaufort attended at the stern with moorings in place at the berth conducted around 15.50hrs. Following the exchange between discharge and loading of vehicles and passengers, the ferry is according to the Dublin Port website to depart at 1800hrs.

Noting, Irish Ferries chartered in ropax Epsilon had departed Dublin since 0740hrs, having had sailings cancelled. The ropax though vacated its berth which are at premium in the port and continues to ride out the storm offshore of north Co. Dublin. On the other side of the Irish Sea, Ulysses having previously been reported when sailing to the port in Anglesey, was completed when berthing adjacent to Stena Adventurer. 

Another Dublin ferry albeit mostly dedicated to the continental link to Cherbourg, in the form of W.B. Yeats which resumed sailings late last night. The 17-19 hour crossing to France has still yet to be completed with an ETA of 20.00hrs tonight, but not as impacted to the Dublin Bay scene.

The Irish Ferries cruiseferry is fresh from a routine winter dry-docking which took place at the Harland & Wolff Group's Belfast facility.

Published in Dublin Bay

About the Golden Globe Race

The Golden Globe Race is the original round the world yacht race. In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. Off shore yacht racing changed forever with adventurers and sailors, inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, following in his pioneering wake. Nine men started the first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. History was made. Navigating with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world. In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly caught the attention of the worlds media as well as adventures, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. The original race is back.

The Golden Globe Race: Stepping back to the golden age of solo sailing

Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race was very simple. Depart Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1st 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables d'Olonne. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts will be heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to Robin's 32ft vessel Suhaili.

In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the 'Golden Age' of solo sailing. Suhaili was a slow and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the aid of modern-day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone, and caught rainwater to survive, but was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.

This anniversary edition of the Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Competitors in this race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing the adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for 'those who dare', just as it was for Knox-Johnston.

They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves.

Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high frequency and ham radios allow.

It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 300 days at sea, challenging themselves and each other. The 2018 Golden Globe Race was a fitting tribute to the first edition and it's winner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Background on Don McIntyre (61) Race Founder

Don is an inveterate sailor and recognised as one of Australia s greatest explorers. Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, his desire is to recreate the Golden Age of solo sailing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht race. In 2010, he led the 4-man Talisker Bounty Boat challenge to re-enact the Mutiny on the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a simil