Manxman2000 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) 24 minutes ago, GD4ELI said: The Ben's design is not suitable for the Irish sea, hence the addition of 450 tons (?) of concrete. The Irish sea is, i believe quite shallow and hulls are ideally designed for this. The Ben must be the greatest boat ever then, she has been the most reliable work horse they have had. She has not missed many rotations in her 25 years. Her weight problems were down to using 6mm steel instead of 9mm so I am told. When Seaco ordered the Ben I think her hull was part built so Sherwood got it for £24mil Edited August 21, 2023 by Manxman2000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Manxman2000 said: If the Ben my Chree is so good ( and I will not take issue with that), could the company or government not have said to a builder I’ll have a new one of them please. It’s a ferry not the QE bloody 3. Why they had to build a cruise ferry for Douglas Heysham or Douglas Liverpool beats me. The Isle of Man is living beyond its wallet. Condor ( not a company known for its straight thinking) needed a new conventional for freight and pax so they bought the Straitsmsn a Ben/Commodore Clipper of 2005, gave her a good re fit and the Condor Islander is ready for work. At the same time the SPC are “ not confident” in a brand new vessel that even to the outsider has far too much windage for small harbours in a blow. This boat is going to miss many crossings this winter. Better build a bridge or tunnel, that will be Cannons next big idea. Unfortunately the IOM at times isn’t living in the real world. It is obsessed beyond belief with being world leading, and forever dick waving, boasting and grandstanding. You can’t really fault Condor who worked collaboratively with Guernsey who provided funding. Hasn’t a bridge/flyover idea been floated crossing over Braddan Bridge? I wonder how many £millions that would cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Onchan Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 21 minutes ago, 2112 said: Hasn’t a bridge/flyover idea been floated crossing over Braddan Bridge? I wonder how many £millions that would cost? Yes it has and should be resisted at every level. It's not required or needed. It would be an utter waste of money. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, cheesypeas said: You want the Steam Packet to employ a full crew to sit on standby 48 weeks of the year? The Ben will be sold anyway. Some people don't think before they post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Andy Onchan said: Yes it has and should be resisted at every level. It's not required or needed. It would be an utter waste of money. i'm surprised we haven't got 2 then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lamb Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 4 minutes ago, WTF said: i'm surprised we haven't got 2 then No point in a flyover as the races will only last a few more years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 15 minutes ago, Harry Lamb said: No point in a flyover as the races will only last a few more years. they've been doing that since the 80's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, WTF said: they've been doing that since the 80's. And still no flyover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Well, my German friends due to visit for the MGP have just emailed to advise that they had been turned away at Heysham due to no available space on the remaining sailings during the shortened MGP period. They were looking forward to travelling on the Manxman as per their tickets but having arrived at Heysham they were advised that there was not enough available space on the replacement BMC sailings to allow them to travel. For the first time in 37 years (covering TT, MGP or Southern) they have been unable to get a crossing to the Island and are now returning to Germany via a trip round the Yorkshire Dales. And are seriously reviewing whether to come to the Island again. Well done to all concerned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTail Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 2 minutes ago, Non-Believer said: Well, my German friends due to visit for the MGP have just emailed to advise that they had been turned away at Heysham due to no available space on the remaining sailings during the shortened MGP period. They were looking forward to travelling on the Manxman as per their tickets but having arrived at Heysham they were advised that there was not enough available space on the replacement BMC sailings to allow them to travel. For the first time in 37 years (covering TT, MGP or Southern) they have been unable to get a crossing to the Island and are now returning to Germany via a trip round the Yorkshire Dales. And are seriously reviewing whether to come to the Island again. Well done to all concerned. Please send this post to your MHK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 The Manxman sailed today, were they due an evening sailing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 12 minutes ago, NoTail said: Please send this post to your MHK I attach a screenshot of part of the email... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I don’t follow. Which sailing has been cancelled? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTail Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 In my view this should be elevated to political level. Germans and others being turned back because we can't carry them. Even with paid for tickets. It is a really bad publicity stunt for the Island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 27 minutes ago, Whiskey said: I don’t follow. Which sailing has been cancelled? The Manxman was cancelled for both Friday and Saturday daytime. It was to be replaced by the Ben. Ben sailed Friday, but not Saturday. The reason being Manxman sailed to shelter off the west of the Island as the master wasn’t happy it was safe to stay in Douglas. There was no back up master free to sail the Ben ( it would have required an off duty Master to come in and do overtime, and management/crew industrial relations are so poor no one was willing to volunteer ). So Ben was cancelled. At least that’s how I read the post above by @Kipper99 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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