Steam Packet Warns Of Disruption To Sailings

[x-in-man]

Union members being difficult?  No water for drinks it seems.  
 

I’ve been waiting for some parcels for almost 2 weeks now.  Apparently sitting in a container at Heysham.  
 

 

[Frances]

I don't understand the requirement for staff to live on board - I know that for some, though mostly those on summer contracts, it might well be convenient as they found getting accommodation in Douglas for a 6-month period difficult. However the staff rotas for the Ben appear to have remained stable for near 20 years and as the Manxman was supposed to take over the same duties as the Ben why do they need to change - again is there some as yet untold reason.

[Andy Onchan]

10 minutes ago, Frances said:

I don't understand the requirement for staff to live on board - I know that for some, though mostly those on summer contracts, it might well be convenient as they found getting accommodation in Douglas for a 6-month period difficult. However the staff rotas for the Ben appear to have remained stable for near 20 years and as the Manxman was supposed to take over the same duties as the Ben why do they need to change - again is there some as yet untold reason.

You need to read the IOMSPCo press releases or their website. It's pretty well documented in the local media.

https://www.steam-packet.com/information/news/2023/Nov/IOMSPC_provides_further_detail_of_offer?__SPCoWinID=08744d90-72ae-4dc5-bdbe-31fa5378e2c7

[woolley]

50 minutes ago, Frances said:

 why do they need to change - again is there some as yet untold reason.

It's not untold. It's been explained thoroughly, and can be summed up in one word: Resilience.

[Frances]

from that press release it appears that they wish also to change the staff on the Ben - at one period it was stated that the Ben would not serve the Island but be leased or possibly sold; the Arrow would be thus become the main freight vessel and the Manxman released from captivity to wander around the Irish Sea. If this 2 boat arrangement then it would imply that the passenger capacity for weekday winter sailings will be reduced to 1 boat per day using Heysham or possibly Liverpool as it doesn't appear from timings that a return to Heysham and a return to Liverpool could be done in a day and also the operational timing restrictions at Liverpool would appear to preclude a night crossing.

The Arrow being now recalled would imply that significant timetable changes are being proposed for the near future - is the Ben still to be used on the Heysham service during winter ?

[ellanvannin2010]

2 hours ago, woolley said:

It's completely redundant to pontificate about the slow timings when we know: A) That there are issues at each end of the route with shallow berth in Douglas and silt in Heysham. B) That Manxman can do the journey in 3hrs 30mins because she has done so a number of times. C) There is still a temporary work up limit on the permissible wind speed/direction.

Given all of the current restrictions, the ship sets sail and travels at whatever speed is necessary to arrive in time to meet the appropriate depth at the destination. Inevitably then, there are going to be a range of timings until the issues are addressed. Specifically, until the work on the KE Pier Douglas is complete, Heysham is properly dredged, and the wind limits are lifted to normal operational levels. Only then can she get a good run at the job and be judged on her performance.

It would perhaps help if the packet issued a statement as to when the wind limits would be lifted and what to., in my view the ship should have been specified to be able to sail and dock safely in its two main ports in a force 9.

Whilst pressure and wind direction play some part in the tides it is hardly a surprise, you used to be able to buy a tide table book for the whole year yet these changes seem to be on the last minute.

 

 

 

[Banker]

4 minutes ago, Frances said:

from that press release it appears that they wish also to change the staff on the Ben - at one period it was stated that the Ben would not serve the Island but be leased or possibly sold; the Arrow would be thus become the main freight vessel and the Manxman released from captivity to wander around the Irish Sea. If this 2 boat arrangement then it would imply that the passenger capacity for weekday winter sailings will be reduced to 1 boat per day using Heysham or possibly Liverpool as it doesn't appear from timings that a return to Heysham and a return to Liverpool could be done in a day and also the operational timing restrictions at Liverpool would appear to preclude a night crossing.

The Arrow being now recalled would imply that significant timetable changes are being proposed for the near future - is the Ben still to be used on the Heysham service during winter ?

The Ben isn’t being used nor are there any plans to use it, it’s in NI getting repaired 

[GD4ELI]

32 minutes ago, ellanvannin2010 said:

It would perhaps help if the packet issued a statement as to when the wind limits would be lifted and what to., in my view the ship should have been specified to be able to sail and dock safely in its two main ports in a force 9.

Whilst pressure and wind direction play some part in the tides it is hardly a surprise, you used to be able to buy a tide table book for the whole year yet these changes seem to be on the last minute.

Tides levels do change with very low / high pressure, also the level at Heysham is subject to drift (or whatever the correct term is). But it's not a good situation and isn't going to get better.

[Andy Onchan]

1 minute ago, GD4ELI said:

Tides levels do change with very low / high pressure, also the level at Heysham is subject to drift (or whatever the correct term is). But it's not a good situation and isn't going to get better.

Peel Ports have always baulked at regular silt clearance in Heysham. So the current situation is nothing new. The same will probably happen in LPL.

[GD4ELI]

6 minutes ago, Andy Onchan said:

Peel Ports have always baulked at regular silt clearance in Heysham. So the current situation is nothing new. The same will probably happen in LPL.

Sooner or later IOM will buy a stake in Heysham, this crap just can't continue.

[Andy Onchan]

1 minute ago, GD4ELI said:

Sooner or later IOM will buy a stake in Heysham, this crap just can't continue.

Of course PP would love that! 

[GD4ELI]

Just now, Andy Onchan said:

Of course PP would love that! 

It's the only solution if the IOM is to have a reliable service.

[WTF]

crossing times aren't really the main thing,  the time you step on the boat to the time you get off is what matters , it doesn't matter if it only takes 2 hours to float from A to B its the rest that counts too.

Edited November 27, 2023 by WTF

[woolley]

25 minutes ago, GD4ELI said:

It's the only solution if the IOM is to have a reliable service.

Jeez. All stop flapping. Just wait and see how things stand when the outstanding operational issues are resolved and see how things look then.

 

[Andy Onchan]

32 minutes ago, GD4ELI said:

It's the only solution if the IOM is to have a reliable service.

Is your name Whittaker, by any chance?