Aground

[James Curry]

Must be the time of year for ships grounding.
The Isle of Man Ferry ran aground while entering Douglas Harbour during low tide.I think it was Monday evening.

A sailing tonight has been delayed because of docking issues with the Manxman. The ferry got stuck in mud at Douglas Harbour with passengers travelling from Liverpool who were due to arrive at 6pm. The Steam Packet Company says that the 7.15pm sailing has been delayed because of tidal conditions.

Think the Manx port authority may have some explaining to do. The Douglas harbour used to be dredged to ensure even at low water the ferry could sail in and out of the port.
Not sure but they no longer do this as they no longer have a dredger.
No damage done as she touched soft mud and floated again later on a rising tide.

[vic mcclymont]

Western Ferries operating from Gourock to Dunoon have on numerous this winter have operated restricted number of vehicles on crossings due to low tides.
They are not allowed to dredge ot their loading ramps.
Vic

[j.sabourn]

#9 The present continuous news about Alfred brings back memories of my time offshore in WA. The cyclone season in WA was from. About November through to April and it was the norm to expect at least 4 during that period. Cyclones today do not appear on one’s doorstep out of the blue and shore people and installations offshore usually have days to prepare. On the NW shelf if you were a seaman home on leave and the warnings were out unless you left no forwarding contact number you could expect a call out to proceed north to relieve all non essential workers on offshore installations who proceeded to onshore cyclone shelters. Any unmanned and laid up ships you joined and remanned them and took to sea if necessary.It was a couple of years before I learned to disappear on my leaves during the cyclone season otherwise never got your leave in full. Seamen as usual were considered fodder for any bad weather. Wonder how many seamen in your neck of the woods have already received the call days ago to keep themselves handy and any change of address. Cheers JS.