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DATE
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NEWS
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29/12/04 |
Clansman sailed through the night from Oban to Gourock where she
berthed at 0625 to offload crew cars. She then sailed to JWD for repairs to
her bow visor, following her recent incident in the Western Isles. Isle
of Mull will be joining her Oban fleetmate tomorrow following a
totally separate incident. Isle of Mull has also been involved in a
collision in Oban. Whilst manoeuvring into the linkspan berth she hit Lord
of the Isles causing some superficial damage to the latter. It is
reported that Isle of Mull's stern was punctured about 1
metre above the waterline. The crew of Lord of the Isles were
observed hosing her visor, presumably to check the seal is not compromised
and that she can continue in service.
With Clansman in JWD at present it would appear that Isle of Arran
will be in service covering for the damaged Isle of Mull, which is to
sail at 0530 tomorrow, until Clansman
returns on 2nd January.
Brenda Corlett (formerly Pioneer) is now reported to have
set sail from Falmouth and is leaving British waters for probably the last
time.
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27/12/04
 Disruptions:
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Isle of Lewis is stormbound at Ullapool and consequently her 1715
sailing to Stornoway and tomorrow's 0715 return to Ullapool have been
cancelled. Loch Portain's 1330 ex Berneray and 1440 ex Leverburgh are
both cancelled - no extra sailings can be made due to the poor weather. Loch
Bhrusda is stormbound at Ardmhor and the 1710 to Eriskay and 1815 return
are both cancelled. Lochnevis's 1600 sailing to Armadale and return
are cancelled due to weather conditions. The 1630 ex Gigha and 1700 ex
Tayinloan are both cancelled due to the weather. The 1600 sailing from
Wemyss Bay and 1645 from Rothesay were both cancelled due to the vessel
being unable to berth at Wemyss Bay. Coruisk and Saturn were
both diverted to Gourock, with Saturn performing an 1830
sailing to Rothesay which was the last sailing of the day.
Elsewhere, Brenda Corlett is now to be seen in Falmouth Bay,
anchored offshore. She will sail for Gibraltar at 2359 on Thursday night.
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Northlink: Due to poor weather conditions and
in the interests of safety the 0345 from Stromness and 0600 from Scrabster
tomorrow morning have been cancelled and will not be running. |
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24/12/04 |
14:15 NEWS FLASH:
We have just received reports that Brenda Colett
(ex Pioneer) is
about to depart James Watt Dock for Gibraltar - more information as we
receive it... |
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14:20 Brenda Corlett has now left James Watt Dock and is heading down
the Clyde estuary. |
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14:25 She's just passed Waterfront leisure centre. |
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14:53 Pioneer sited off Inverkip with pilot boat along site making
its way down river. The pilot boat left the side of Pioneer at 14:53 and
swung away and headed back up river. Pioneer is now heading towards the open
sea and looking in fine condition... |
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This will be the last time that faithful and respected Pioneer will see of
her home waters. Good Luck from the SoC Team and all on her long Voyage to a
new career. She will be greatly missed. |
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More Updates on her Progress to Follow... |
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Left: Just
leaving JWD and about to embark on part one of her long voyage.
Picture: David Watson |
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Right: Progress Map Showing Latest
Reported Information and Position. Updated when we receive additional Data. |
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Left: Making
her final passage down the Clyde for the open sea. Picture: Gerry
Deegan |
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Other News... |
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From North Tonight:
Cal Mac 'rescue' Santa Claus. The ferry
company Caledonian MacBrayne have sailed to the rescue of Santa Claus in the
Western Isles. Along with his reindeer he'd been due to attend a Christmas
Fair in Lewis. But, as we all know, the magical animals can only fly on
Christmas Eve, so in a festive gesture Cal Mac stepped in. Read the Full
Story and Video
HERE. |
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23/12/04
Disruptions: |
More high winds have hit the
country and the following routes have been affected... Colintraive
/ Rhubodach was for a time suspended but is now back on as timetabled. Loch
Dunvegan, having recently completed her overhaul and ramp replacement
was stormbound earlier today. Wemyss Bay / Rothesay sailings
had been affected by winds but Coruisk was observed sailing
throughout. This timetable is now back to normal. Largs / Cumbrae Slip service
is suspended until further notice. Following earlier gales, Loch Buie
picked up the Iona service with the 1015 ex Fionnphort sailing. The 1350 ex
Brodick and 1515 ex Ardrossan were cancelled. Isle of Mull's 0645
sailing to Coll and Tiree were delayed by nearly two hours this morning. Loch
Bhrusda had been stormbound at Ardmhor, missing her morning sailing
although an extra sailing was slotted in at 1100 ex Barra and 1145 ex
Eriskay. The timetable was picked up with the 1230 ex Ardmhor. After earlier
disruption the Tayinloan / Gigha sailing is now back to timetable.
This morning's sailing from Mallaig to Armadale and return were cancelled. Loch
Riddon's 1215 ex Tarbert and 1345 ex Lochranza were cancelled. Next
scheduled sailing being Christmas Eve. A technical problem on Raasay
saw the 1000 ex Tobermory and 1045 ex Kilchoan sailings cancelled. Hebridean
Isles was diverted to Port Ellen this afternoon due to weather
conditions making berthing difficult at Port Askaig.
Other news to report is
that Isle of Arran is now at Oban's North Pier, having crossed over
from Craignure. She is still there ready to step in to relieve Clansman,
the latter having damaged her bow visor some days ago. Clansman was
today subject to delays on the Craignure route. Jupiter is now back
at Gourock ready to go back into service. |
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21/12/04 |
An update from Oban: Isle
of Mull has taken over Clansman's Coll, Tiree, Barra and
'Boisdale schedule at Oban. Due to Clansman's bow visor seal leaking,
she is restricted to the Mull service only. Clansman is due to go
dock on Thursday for repairs. Isle of Arran is currently berthed at
Craignure and Lord of the Isles at Tobermory to take over as required
for Colonsay etc. CalMac now have 50% of their major units based in this
area. Isle of Arran was berthed at the Railway Pier today having
returned late from Tiree, causing Clansman to circle in the Firth of
Lorne, awaiting a berth for Craignure traffic. Looks like they could do with
the second link span NOW... |
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A revised timetable for the NorthLink Pentland Firth service will begin in
February following recent discussions with local communities. Delaying the
start of the revised 2005 timetable for Scrabster to Stromness should allow
haulage companies more time to find ways to adjust to the new schedule. More
Information Available from NorthLink's website above. |
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The tolls on the Skye Bridge have been abolished today from 07:30 this
morning resulting in a uncertain future for the Mallaig to Armadale ferry.
It is possible CalMac will give it the 2005 summer season to see what
happens but could it mean the Coruisk based permanently on the Clyde
or chartered. With two new ferries on order for the Rothesay run and Dunoon
in the eaves of privatisation her future could be a rather interesting
one... |
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Disruptions: |
Northlink:
Pentland Firth route cancellations.
Due to adverse weather conditions and in
the interest of passenger safety and comfort, the 16:30 sailing from
Stromness and the 19:00 sailing from Scrabster have been cancelled. The
03:45 sailing from Stromness and the 06:00 sailing from Scrabster on
Wednesday 22nd December have also been cancelled. The next scheduled sailing
will depart Stromness at 09:00 Wednesday 22nd December to arrive in
Scrabster at 10:30. |
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CalMac: Notice of change to scheduled sailing
Craignure - Oban 24/12/2004
Friday 24th December 2004 Customers are advised that due to operational
reasons the 2230 Craignure to Oban sailing on 24th December 2004 has been
cancelled. |
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20/12/04 |
It was Craignure that either
Isle of Arran or Lord of the Isles was berthed at on Sunday
not Oban. Today, Monday 20th, Clansman lay alongside at Oban from
1100. It is unclear which vessel did the morning Mull and Colonsay service
but presumably the mystery ship from Craignure. Isle of Mull returned
to Oban from Barra and took the 1600 to Mull at 1610. At 17:55 Clansman
is still at Railway Pier, Isle of Mull is at the linkspan.
Clansman's port side visor has been scraped leaving scuffed paint and a
dent from Saturdays ordeal. Nothing too substantial we understand. On the
Clyde: Jupiter has emerged from JWD on trails after her overhaul. It
is expected that she will also spend tonight in the dock. |
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19/12/04 |
Update from yesterdays Fleet News: Today Isle of Mull departed before
Clansman at 1530 presumably on Barra run, Clansman then loaded
about 60 / 70 cars by her stern ramp and departed 1600. As of 17:00 it is
unclear if she replaced Isle of Mull due to Heavy Traffic or because
of bow visor problems. Either Isle of Arran or Lord of the Isles
is currently berthed at Oban Pier. |
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18/12/04 |
It is possible that the Isle of Mull broke down on Friday afternoon
in Oban, Updates to follow. Clansman hit something - possibly the
pier during a gust of wind at Oban terminal and fractured her bow visor /
ramp, her current status in unknown, she was sighted leaving Oban later
today possibly back in service. The Isle of Arran as reported
yesterday didn't go into James Watt Dock but is presumably heading for Oban
to cover for either the Isle of Mull or Clansman. She left
Gourock pier around 1830 on Friday night. |
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17/12/04 |
Northlink: There
was no early morning Pentland Firth Route this morning.
Hamnavoe departed Stromness at
09:00 to arrive in Scrabster at 10:30.The next scheduled sailing will depart
Scrabster at 12:00 to arrive in Stromness at 13:30. This was due to heavy
winds. |
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Isle of Arran attempted to relocate
from Gourock to JWD but had to abort due to squally winds. She returned to
Gourock and tied up at the wires berth. Isle of Cumbrae has
returned to her winter role of spare vessel, having handed the Kyles of Bute
crossing back to Loch Dunvegan. The Cumbrae is now tied up at the
inner berth at Rothesay where she will remain until required for further
relief duties. |
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All CalMac routes appear to be back to
normal. |
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16/12/04
Disruptions: |
The strong winds sweeping across the country are causing disruptions to the
following: Fionnphort / Iona service cancelled due to severe weather
conditions. Ardmhor (Barra) / Eriskay service: 1230 ex Barra and 1410
ex Eriskay cancelled. Oban / Barra / Uist 1530 service cancelled -
next sailing will be the scheduled 0930 departure tomorrow morning. Oban
/ Coll / Tiree service cancelled today, although there is the chance of
an extra sailing tomorrow - to be confirmed. Mallaig / Armadale
afternoon return crossing cancelled due to poor weather in the Sound of
Sleat. Sconser / Raasay sailings cancelled due to earlier technical
problem but later due to worsening weather conditions. Mallaig / Small
Isles service cancelled due to weather. Tobermory / Kilchoan
service cancelled - Raasay left Mull as scheduled at 1000 this
morning but had to turn back off Kilchoan, unable to berth safely - the
chargehand advised that later sailings would probably be cancelled. Lochaline
/ Fishnish sailings cancelled due to sever weather in the Sound of Mull.
This afternoon's sailing on Ballycastle / Rathlin route cancelled due
to adverse weather. Tarbert / Lochranza sailing cancelled due to
weather. Wemyss Bay / Rothesay 1515 and 1600 departures from Bute and
mainland respectively are cancelled. All Ardrossan / Brodick sailings
are cancelled. Tarbert / Portavadie sailings cancelled. Colintraive
/ Rhubodach service has been cancelled. And finally
- all Tayinloan / Gigha sailings are also cancelled.
As there was no sailing out to the small
isles today, there will be an additional call at Rum tommorow; the timetable
will be as follows:
Dep Mallaig 1020 Arr Eigg 1140 Dep Eigg 1200 Arr Muck 1230 Dep Muck 1250 Arr
Rum 1400 Dep Rum 1420 Arr Mallaig 1540 |
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Please Note: For Up-to-date Information
and Service Changes Check the Official Site
Here |
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Northlink: sailings appear to be running to
schedule. |
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15/12/04 |
MCA reports that Lord of the Isles offered assistance to a Norwegian
flagged coaster which suffered engine problems and was drifting close to
Inish Island near Mull in high winds yesterday afternoon. BBC news website
reports that the Stina, a 76-metre vessel, was escorted into Oban harbour at
around 10pm. Not sure if LOTI had any role beyond the offering of
assistance though. |
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 All CalMac services seem to be back
to normal now. |
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14/12/04 |
Isle of Mull has returned from overhaul and is now lying off Oban
pier off duty. Juno and Coruisk are diverted to Gourock
instead of Wemyss Bay due to high winds. Saturn is running late on
the Dunoon run. Coruisk headed to Gourock with the 0710 sailing from
Rothesay, but Juno is currently tied up at Rothesay Pier due to
mechanical troubles (situation, to be reassessed at 11am). |
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Update: |
Juno remained tied up at Rothesay for virtually the whole day, from
8am to 5.30pm, when she completed one return sailing to Wemyss Bay (though
even this arrived back at Rothesay some 20 minutes late). Coruisk's
day consisted of three return trips between Rothesay and Gourock. Both ships
tied up for the night early. |
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Disruptions: |
Inner Isles Service
Due to adverse weather conditions, the
06.45 sailing to Coll & Tiree has been delayed until 0900 hrs and the vessel
will only be making one visit to Coll.
Tayinloan / Gigha Service Due to
adverse weather the 0740 and 0800 sailings have been cancelled on the above
route. Kennacraig / Islay Service
The 0700 hours sailing to Port Ellen on
Islay has been diverted to Port Askaig due to adverse weather conditions.
Fionnphort/Iona Service
Sailings cancelled meantime due to weather
conditions will look again at 10.00hrs.
Wemyss Bay / Rothesay Service
The following sailings have been cancelled on the above route - 12.15 &
13.00 ex Wemyss Bay & also 13.00 ex Rothesay.
Mallaig / Armadale Service
The 0840 sailing ex Mallaig and the 0930
sailing ex Armadale are both cancelled due to adverse weather.
Tarbert / Lochranza Service
Please be advised that due to adverse weather the 1215 sailing from Tarbert
to Lochranza and the 1345 from Lochranza back to Tarbert have been
cancelled. Next sailing from Tarbert to Lochranza will be 1215 tomorrow.
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Please Note: For Up-to-date Information
and Service Changes Check the Official Site
Here |
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Northlink: sailings appear to be running to
schedule. |
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13/12/04 |
Loch Tarbert has abandoned her timetable on the Fishnish - Lochaline
run and is undertaking shuttle runs to clear back logged traffic. Her
capacity is smaller than that of the Loch Fyne normally employed on
this service and currently on overhaul. |
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Clansman returned via Craignure this evening from the outer isles.
Lord of the Isles was nowhere to be seen at 15:00 and was supposed to do
the 16:00 to Craignure from Oban and back. She was possible storm bound in a
bay. Eigg arrived back at Oban at 18:20 fully loaded presumably
making a call at Craignure to clear traffic. |
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Disruption: |
Ardrossan-Brodick Service
Due to operational reasons, the 1230
sailing ex Ardrossan and the 1350 sailing ex Brodick have been cancelled. |
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11/12/04 |
Muirneag is reported to been seen in the mouth of Loch Grimshader to
to shelter from a gale, she came into Stornoway first but could not berth
due to strong winds off no1 pier. She left Harbour and headed for Loch
Grimshader and later berthed at 4PM back at No1. Isle of Lewis was
also late arriving in to Ullapool at 5.30PM. Stuart Macleod |
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Loch Fyne has appeared at Largs today on her way for annual overhaul
in JWD, Gourock. She berthed there at the slipway briefly and then waited
off to allow the Loch Alainn to use the slip. Just before 3pm
the Loch Fyne joined her sister Loch Dunvegan in James Watt
Dock - it is now quite rare to see the two Ferguson-built vessels together
having both been running mates on the Skye service before the bridge opened.
The difference between the once identical sisters ramps can be clearly seen
now both lye together. |
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Ongoing work to remove old rusted paint on Brenda Corlett (ex
Pioneer) is continuing in JWD. Fresh Water tanks for the long voyage to
Gibraltar and onward to Africa have been added to her car deck a few days
ago. |
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09/12/04 |
Fionnphort - Iona Service
Due to adverse weather conditions, today's
sailings between Fionnphort and Iona have been cancelled until further
notice. For more information please contact local Caledonian MacBrayne port. |
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Disruptions: |
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08/12/04 (18:14)
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Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has
welcomed the Minister for Transport’s announcement of major funding for two
new vessels and associated infrastructure works in the coming years...
The
announcements, confirmed by Minister for Transport Nicol Stephen in
Parliament today (Wednesday, December 8) arise from the Executive’s 2004
Spending Review, which considered CalMac’s long-term capital investment
needs.
The Minister has confirmed that CalMac should order a further 2 new
vessels. The first will be a second new vessel for Wemyss Bay-Rothesay
service costing an estimated £9.5 million. The other new vessel will serve
on the Largs-Cumbrae route, costing an estimated £5.8 million. Both new
vessels are likely to come into service by 2007.
CalMac Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “CalMac is delighted to
have confirmation today of the new build commitment. We are currently
building a new ship for the
WemyssBay to
Rothesay service and this will enable us to further enhance the links
between the island and the mainland. It is vitally important now that all
the relevant organisations come together to improve the infrastructure to
enable us to operate at maximum efficiency and that means having a new
linkspan in place in Rothesay as quickly as possible. The new vessel for
Largs to Cumbrae slip is also great news in that it benefits the Oban to
Lismore service which will see one the current Largs vessel cascaded to Oban
to work that route bringing with it significant improvements in terms of
capacity”.
The ordering of new vessels will be conducted in accordance with EU
public procurement procedures and Mr. Sinclair confirmed that the process
will begin immediately with a view to both new vessels being in operation by
2007. The Company will place individual orders in accordance with those
procurement procedures with value for money, reliability and delivery being
key factors.
In addition to the ongoing terminal developments at Oban the Executive
also confirmed today that it plans to provide Piers and Harbours Grants to
CalMac towards new projects totalling around £15.8 million over the period
to March 2008. These new projects include a major upgrade of berthing
facilities at Kennacraig, which serves the route to
Islay, and works at Largs, Cumbrae Slip,
WemyssBay,
and Lismore to accommodate the vessels to be introduced, as well as a
replacement linkspan at Brodick.
CalMac Chairman Dr Harold Mills said: “ We are obviously also delighted
that the Minister has agreed to look further at CalMac’s future capital
investment needs, in particular for Islay, following recent appraisal work
carried out by CalMac. Enhancements to that service now moves to the top of
our wish-list and we look forward to receiving Ministerial guidance on that
in due course.” |
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Press Release From Caledonian MacBrayne
-
www.calmac.co.uk |
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Also in the News... |
 "Executive
Loses Vote on Ferries" |
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Disruptions: |
Small Isles Service: The
Lochnevis's call at Muck and second call at Eigg have been cancelled due
to adverse weather conditions. |
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06/12/04 |
Fionnphort - Iona Service:
Due to adverse weather conditions, today's
sailings may be liable to disruptions or cancellations. For further
information please contact local port. |
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Disruptions: |
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Northlink:
Cancellations Affecting the Pentland Firth Route:
Hamnavoe arrived in Stromness
at 13:30. Due to adverse weather conditions, the 16:30 sailing from
Stromness to Scrabster and the 19:00 sailing from Scrabster to Stromness on
Monday 6th December and the 03:45 sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and
the 06:00 sailing from Scrabster to Stromness on Tuesday 7th December have
been cancelled. Hamnavoe is scheduled to depart Stromness at 09:00 to
arrive in Scrabster at 10:30 on Tuesday 7th December. All other NorthLink
sailings are to schedule. |
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05/12/04 |
Coruisk's Overhaul Changes: On the top deck the deckhouse under the
wheelhouse has been extended outwards across the deck leaving only a narrow
passageway between the forward and aft ends of the deck. The deckhouse now
contains five cabins as opposed to three previously. On the port side the
gallery deck, except for the gangway gate at the forward end, has been
totally enclosed; this now contains two additional rooms one of which is a
provision store while the other is a drying room for the crew. There are the
new stairs fitted up to each of the four rope handling areas. These provide
quicker access to these area compared to the previous ladders. Yesterday she
was carrying one more seaman than last winter and had a qualified Mate as
opposed to the Chargehand / Second Mate of her first season. |
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Loch Dunvegan seems to be having slight problems with her new
hydraulic ramps. She has gained an entirely new set up including toe plates
which seem to be he problem on slipways. |
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04/12/04 |
As of 23:15pm it is not yet reported that Brenda Corlett (ex
Pioneer) has left the Clyde area. Her port of registry has however
changed from Glasgow to Kingstown on the hull. It seems Loch Dunvegan
had some sort of mechanical problem with her new ramps or gear. She was
sighted passing McInroys Point, heading back to Greenock. She was being
escorted by the Clyde Marine tug Biter. |
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03/12/04 |
Coruisk is in service on the secondary Rothesay roster today
in place of MV Jupiter. She took up service on the 0930 ex Wemyss Bay.
Loch Dunvegan was sighted heading down river from JWD at about 09:45
this morning complete with newly fitted ramps, she is presumably heading
back into service. Jupiter has arrived at Garvel Dock for her annual
overhaul, depending on which sister is sold first - this could be her last
overhaul before withdrawal and the entering of service of the new Bute. |
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News Flash: There are
rumours that Brenda Corlett (ex Pioneer) is due to leave the
Clyde sometime tomorrow, as of this evening we are still unclear weather she
will go for compass trials and checks before she heads for Gibraltar - stay
tuned for updates. |
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02/12/04 |
Today marks the 30th anniversary of MV Juno entering service on the
Upper Clyde. She was a development of Jupiter's design with such
features as her flying bridge - something which was subsequently added to
her elder sister. |
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01/12/04 |
Clansman is currently covering for the Isle of Mull on the
Oban - Craignure run and her additional duties. Isle of Mull has gone to Birkenhead for her
annual overhaul. |
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News Logs: |
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Click
HERE to see the other months' fleet news logs |
Webmaster: shipsofcalmac @ hotmail.co.uk