Messages

Possible berthing trials on the way north??

In 31 years from now, there probably will be no trouble of acquiring info / pictures / film of events of today to assist with this type of research for historical programmes on any topic / theme.
A great number of us who travelled regularly on ferries in our 'Gardner 180' powered vehicles were very glad that the choice of contacting the transport office was ours. Mobile phones / cameras had not yet entered the realms of the insanity which prevails today.

Good luck with the research lads.

She is on 'The Ferry Site' as Santa Marcella, flagged as Mexican and registered in La Paz but no route details.

I travelled through Larne regularly through the 70's and remember that it was very difficult to get a parking place to wait for ferries.

The only thing to do in those days was to wait outside the town and go in shortly before sailing and join the queue for loading.

I now go in to drop off and collect trailers coming off the boat and I am saddened to see the acres of empty quays and the few trailers and rigs waiting for the next sailing.

The whole set up is a world away from what  it once was.  :-\ :-\ :-\

Same result for myself  :(

The French schedule is on their website and confirms the last French sailing for Epsilon is confirmed as Dublin / Cherbourg @15.30 Saturday 5th November returning from Cherbourg at 12.00 Sunday 6th

Just looking at the variety of cruise liners calling at Cork and the landing stage there, brings to mind the 'dedicated landing stage' at Belfast.
Is there any comparison???  :( :( :(

A fairly unique event, it's a pity itdidn't happen in daylight to allow somebody to get a few pictures (Stephen ;)).
However, the AIS shows it clearly. :) :) :)

Superb picture.
As an HGV driver in the dim, distant past, I have lost count of the number of crossings on the southern corridor that experienced similar types of weather.
STs Patrick And Killian were 1/3 to 1/2 the size of Europe and ploughed through H**L and very high waters to and from France in the early seventies and into the eighties with many, many hours 'heave to' off port(s) for the swell to subside enough to attempt docking.
I remember well the outstanding facilities of the 'big white telephone' system which was a lifesaver in many cases.
They really don't make ships of that calibre any more.

PS, I'm on a return trip from Rosslare to Cherbourg returning from Roscoff in May as a 'one off' to Italy as a nostalgic trip during which I hope to recall 'The Good Old Days'. The old F89-320 has now been replaced by a more modest FH-540.  ;) 8)

The HSS experiment was a trip into an exciting era of ferry travel totally banjaxed by rising fuel costs and the need for operators (and airlines) to speculate on future fuel costs (hedgeing) to have a chance to reduce overall costs.
The short crossings on the Irish sea were pleasent enough but I feel privileged to have travelled on the Hoek / Harwich route several times and the long crossing gave a chance to really experience 'High Speed Service'  at its best :)
(PS I ordered heating oil this morning, same price per litre as a delivery on 16/05/2006 :-*)

Still interested, and even looking forward to putting faces to the 'handles' should this plan come together 8)

Cullyburn (J.C.Superstar) would be interested in a Dun L / Holyhead return that day.  8)

Maybe I've missed something, but the 'Ferry Site' shows that ('Cartour') Epsilon is owned and operated by IF. ???

Just finished reading the new edition and the reduced paper quality does not detract from the usual indepth news presented.
In the current economic climate we subscribers should praise Ferrypubs in their efforts to continue providing the magazine and its quality of reporting for the price charged.
The accompanying letter with this edition adequately covered the need for economies and the steps taken to reduce costs.

Apologies to DanJ, Dublin Pete is right. :-[