The Mighty Ferry!

[Doc Vernon]

Hi
Well i have just finished watching a program on our TV here on the Stena Britannica,apparently now the largest Cross Channel Ferry in the UK,going from Harwick to The Hook Of Holland on a daily basis!
It is just amazing the ammount of work put into each days trip,and the number of both Passengers and Vehicles is also something to be seen!
The Loading and unloading especially of the Heavy Trucks and Cars is a feat that is only believed when you see it!
At Holland they can drive on and off at one time,as there are two Levels that are in use,at Harwich apparently they can only drive on and off in one direcion!
The maneuverability of such a huge Ferry in the port of Holland is awe inspiring,as its not a very wide Entry for such a huge Ferry!
Although all this is these days done with Computers etc it still must be a very exact job for the Captain,who on watching him is one heck of a Guy!
The Maiden Voyage (which this program was about) went without a hitch,and you could see the happy face of this Captain!
The Total time to Load all the Passengers and Vehicles is only three hours,on each trip,and not forgetting all the things that have to be done,such as checking each and every Vehicle,getting all the Food ready ,changing the Laundry etc and the list goes on!
On one such trip they did have a hitch,where the one massive Steel Door wouldnt close completely,thus stopping the Vessel from leaving Port!
Two and a half hours later with much work to cut loose a piece of thick Metal (Grinders ,hammers etc) they managed to close the huge Door and made their way to Holland!
What a busy schedule these Seaman have,all working as a Total team,they keep the Ferry going on a daily basis to and from the UK and Holland!
A brilliant program!
Really enjoyed watching it!

Footnote!
The old Britannica also owned by Stena was in Port when the new one arrived for the first time in Holland,and the Capt of the new Stena Britannica (who was the Capt of the old one) waved a fond farewell to his former Ship,with Horns Blowing a full blast!
What a lovely but demanding Job!
Cheers

[Captain Kong]

Very interesting Doc.
But there are no jobs for the Brits, and no allegiance by STENA to Britain, being a Swedish Company. Stena operated two ferrys out of Fleetwood to Northern Ireland, they employed Croatians, no Brits, and was registered in Bermuda. last New years day they closed down the Ferry Terminal and moved their operations elsewhere. 275 men in Fleetwood at the base were sacked. The Ferry terminal is now being demolished.
Cheers
Brian.