monasqueen Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 5 hours ago, Capt_Mainwaring said: Looking like another c. 3:30 crossing this morning. One wonders if the slow overnight sailing time is to keep the noise down for anyone trying to sleep?! The departure time was 09.04 this morning (Steam Packet's figure). Speed across was about 18 knots - more than the current "normal". Slightly more vibration, with an occasional thump and rock as we hit a little wave (or was it a whale?). The mid passage update gave an estimate of 12.25 at the harbour entrance, and about 10 to 15 minutes to get onto the berth. The first part of the estimate was about right, so looking like the magical 3 hours 30 would not be far off.. but.... berthing took one helluv a long time, and Steam Packet's reported time of arrival was 12.55, making it more than the 3 and 3/4 hours scheduled crossing time. And that's without mentioning any of the "teething problems" that we encountered on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Onchan Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, monasqueen said: The departure time was 09.04 this morning (Steam Packet's figure). Speed across was about 18 knots - more than the current "normal". Slightly more vibration, with an occasional thump and rock as we hit a little wave (or was it a whale?). The mid passage update gave an estimate of 12.25 at the harbour entrance, and about 10 to 15 minutes to get onto the berth. The first part of the estimate was about right, so looking like the magical 3 hours 30 would not be far off.. but.... berthing took one helluv a long time, and Steam Packet's reported time of arrival was 12.55, making it more than the 3 and 3/4 hours scheduled crossing time. And that's without mentioning any of the "teething problems" that we encountered on board. What were the teething problems onboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GD4ELI Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 27 minutes ago, woolley said: Jeez. All stop flapping. Just wait and see how things stand when the outstanding operational issues are resolved and see how things look then. Better still - set your watches for this time next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GD4ELI Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 21 minutes ago, Andy Onchan said: Is your name Whittaker, by any chance? Nopey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolley Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Just now, GD4ELI said: Better still - set your watches for this time next year. Indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 49 minutes ago, monasqueen said: teething problems" that we encountered on board. Yes. Come on. Don't keep us in suspense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilp Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 59 minutes ago, GD4ELI said: Nopey. That's the oddest surname I ever heard. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I can guess no papers on board, doubt if the non working loo on level 8 has been fixed - maybe the other one has failed ? - returning last week one of the departing pooches indicated its appreciation of the boat by peeing over the staircase down from level 7 to the ramp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monasqueen Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 1 hour ago, Andy Onchan said: What were the teething problems onboard? The papers did get on board - amazing! But we did leave late! I didn't go looking for teething troubles, but.... 1) The deck 8 Ladies' toilet has still not been fixed. 2) The Blue staircase lift was unusable. 3) The water system was unusable (other than for flushing and washing hands) - there were no hot drinks available all trip, apart from in the exec lounge, where someone had found a kettle or two, and boiled bottled water. Will that do for now? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itsmeee Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 6 minutes ago, monasqueen said: The water system was unusable (other than for flushing and washing hands) - there were no hot drinks available all trip, apart from in the exec lounge, where someone had found a kettle or two, and boiled bottled water. They should be offering some form of fare discount or partial refund if there’s no water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) I suggest most regular travellers merely want a timetable announced reasonably well in advance (tide tables don't cost much) so that journeys can be planned around the boat times - not knowing what is the case until 2 days in advance means that foot passengers who use public transport in the UK are highly inconvenienced - why it wasn't possible to dredge the small bit of Douglas harbour to allow the Ben or the Manxman to use the Victoria pier when it was known that the KE pier would be out of service is just one more DOI failure (or maybe lack of communication by the SPCo - after all their public messaging is not great). As for papers - so far every voyage I've made on the Manxman (abt 6) there have been no papers on board. Edited November 27, 2023 by Frances 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Mainwaring Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 38 minutes ago, Frances said: why it wasn't possible to dredge the small bit of Douglas harbour to allow the Ben or the Manxman to use the Victoria pier Because there's a concrete structure under the berth to prevent damage from Manannan's propulsion system. It was in the SP press release. That's usually the Manannan's berth hence the current issues at low tide. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopek Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Irrespective of the silt, dredging, draught, wind, freight and what has gone on in the past, more reporting of the problems is not a good impression of the SP performance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 1 hour ago, monasqueen said: ill that do for now There's more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cissolt Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 7 hours ago, monasqueen said: The papers did get on board - amazing! But we did leave late! I didn't go looking for teething troubles, but.... 1) The deck 8 Ladies' toilet has still not been fixed. 2) The Blue staircase lift was unusable. 3) The water system was unusable (other than for flushing and washing hands) - there were no hot drinks available all trip, apart from in the exec lounge, where someone had found a kettle or two, and boiled bottled water. Will that do for now? Blue staircase lift was a big inconvenience for me due to having to traipse across the slippy deck with my crutches. Still no water at all for hot drinks, boat is very cold. Boat late leaving again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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