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Ferry service getting worse admits Calmac boss
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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Ferry latest
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Posted 1 year ago #
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"Deep ocean tunnels connect some of the 18 islands that make up the Faroes but many of them can only be reached by ferry or helicopter, making a cycling trip around the islands a logistical nightmare. To solve this problem we decided to bring along a kayak and kiteboard that we could use to make the crossings between the islands where and when it suited us – weather dependent of course."
Posted 1 year ago # -
Apologies for digression
"But there is no street view on the Faroes, only “sheep view”. You read correctly.
Sheep were equipped with a 360° camera and the images were then published on the world wide web. This funny initiative was started in 2017 by Durita Dahl Andreassen, who lives on the islands. She meant to draw Google’s attention to the forgotten small island group. And what do you know. The US corporation loved it and since then you can discover the Faroe Islands on sheep back via Google Street View. Give it a go!"
Posted 1 year ago # -
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Scotland Office minister Iain Stewart argues the Faroe Islands – where the world's first undersea roundabout opened in 2020 – show what can be done.
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Posted 1 year ago # -
The announcement:
Ptarmigan Shipping and DFDS have signed an agreement with the intention to further investigate the possibility for a new Ferry route between Rosyth and Zeebrugge with a target date being early 2023 for freight.
This is all subject to the support we can get from the market and stakeholders, which will be our focus during the next few months. A further study is being carried out regarding the passenger business.
Ptarmigan Shipping has no web presence save a Companies House listing (registered 2021). DFDS withdrew the service in 2018 as they couldn't make it pay.
I suppose it could happen. Although I'm not really sure how Brexit would increase the viability of a Scotland-EU ferry service.
Posted 1 year ago # -
"signed an agreement with the intention to further investigate the possibility"...
Long grass. Into. Kicked.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well, it's progress. But I suspect DFDS will be looking for Forth Ports to contribute something, like some sort of investment in facilities in Rosyth, and that would be far from guaranteed.
Posted 1 year ago # -
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Forth Ports said the proposed freeport, centred on Leith, Grangemouth and Rosyth, could “re-industrialise” Scotland, acting as a catalyst for new green technologies and renewable energy manufacturing.
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Posted 1 year ago # -
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Interesting reaction from Transport Scotland to an initiative by local people on Mull which comes from mounting frustration at CalMac’s inability to deliver a reliable ferry service. The initiative, funded by HIE, is to explore the potential of creating a community owned ferry company and take over the failing service between Mull and the mainland. Transport Scotland has issued a statement saying that the Scottish Government will not countenance the break up of its current monopoly service. No explanation given, no discussion to be had. When you’re in a hole, the advice is normally to stop digging.
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https://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/2022/12/13/stop-digging/
Posted 1 year ago # -
I give you Western Ferries (McInroys Point-Dunoon) now fully replacing the vehicle carrying facility Gourock-Dunoon whilst CMAL now wholly owns and runs 2 High Speed ferries as Argyll Express from Gourock, de-rated to run at around half their potential speed (& disrupt revenues?)
Pentalina operates commercially from Gills Bay to St Margaret Hope with a new upgraded vessel as independent competing with Scrabster-Stromeness, & the old John o Groats-Burwick crossing
Kintyre Express (owned by Craigs of Campbelltown - Borders Buses/Glasgow Citybus/West Coast Motors) run 12 passenger enclosed cabin RIB's - carry bikes & cover Campbelltown-Ballycastle (Antrim) & Islay (Port Ellen?)as scheduled ferries also do charters Glasgow- Campbelltown in around 2 hours (vs 4 hours by road)
The 200 passenger RedJet 3 is a 'spare' boat for So'ton - Cowes (11 Nm in 25 minutes) & is certificated to operate in Forth out to a line Kirkcaldy-Portobello. Would deliver a 12-15 minute crossing Burntisland-Newhaven passengers only (& probably bikes) making a very attractive East Fife-to Edinburgh journey time without driving via Queensferry a huge incentive NOT to drive if it can be delivered
Posted 1 year ago # -
NB we have a vacuum - with demand for faster & more reliable ferry links do DM with any thoughts on how to fill that vacuum?
Who might sponsor a Burntisland-Newhaven trial ofg a eased Redjet or similar ferry (as used in S Asia Sea/Baltic?
Likewise underwrite a larger Redbay (Antrim boatbuilder) RIB to operate Troon-Campbelltown (or Ayr..) crossing time c.1 hour with coach/train connections to Glasgow
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted 1 year ago # -
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NEW fears have surfaced over whether two vessels at the centre of Scotland’s ferry fiasco will ever set sail as it emerged an agreement over the publicly funded budget for the nationalised shipyard firm at the centre of the row has stalled for months.
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Posted 1 year ago # -
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Highland business owners say a new ferry restriction on a 'lifeline service' will put them at risk of collapse.
A temporary weight limit is being imposed on the Maid of Glencoul Corran Ferry service in Lochaber, "to ensure the safety of the travelling public."
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Posted 1 year ago # -
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CALMAC say one of its oldest ferries that has been filling in on on of its busiest routes is to come back into service this morning (Friday) after a successful repair.
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Posted 1 year ago # -
Corran Ferry reports of total melt-down with immediate interim use of tourist cruise boat from Fort Bill to Camunsagaul & a 12 passenger enclosed cabin RIB (sounds like a Redbay 40Kt boat as used for Kintyre Express Ferry Campbeltown/Islay-Antrim services - carries bikes) on its way North (could be Jura RIB?)
For mainland take bikes on Citylink 915 Glasgow-Uig coach stops at Corran Ferry slip
Hopefully local buses on Morven will be meeting ferry
40kts vs 10-15kts should mean very fast & frequent services
Posted 1 year ago # -
a 12 passenger enclosed cabin RIB (sounds like a Redbay 40Kt boat as used for Kintyre Express Ferry Campbeltown/Islay-Antrim services - carries bikes) on its way North (could be Jura RIB?)
Marine Traffic not showing much in the way of relief vessels en route. Jura Explorer is a RIB used by Discover Jura, but isn't enclosed.
Posted 1 year ago # -
If they are thinking that small surely there must be underused vessels somewhere?
Oil industry?
Military?
Is Waverley serviceable…
Posted 1 year ago # -
Marine Traffic still doesn't show any backup vessels for the Corran crossing.
While there has been a ferry of one sort or another for possibly centuries, is it time to plan for a bridge, or perhaps a tunnel? After all, Maid of Glencoul was built for the crossing at Kylsku, which was bridged in 1982; the Ballachulish ferry ended when the bridge was built in 1975. Now we have MoG getting on for 50 years old, and MV Corran already 23 years old.
Posted 1 year ago # -
A bridge would seem sensible - after all Highland Council are costing it at £60m+ to replace the existing provision with 2 electric ferries, which seems to be commensurate with estimated bridge costs
Posted 1 year ago # -
A bridge or tunnel would certainly swamp the little country lanes on the Corran side with streams of horrible motor traffic.
Campervans, SUVs, sports cars.
Would definitely make that area unpleasant to cycle compared to today. At least with a ferry the traffic is in one big swarm, which you can simply wait 20mins to "let go" (and let them get angry at each other instead of you) and then have the roads mostly to yourself.
So let's not rush too quickly into inducing demand for more driving, eh?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Meanwhile, this is what happens when we encourage 'moar drivin'
Posted 1 year ago # -
Marine Traffic still doesn't show any backup vessels for the Corran crossing.
Someone's ears must've been burning because, as Tulyar let on three days ago, today the Redbay Boats-built Venture West headed up this morning from Tayvallich, and it's been sailing the seven seas since about 10.30. The vessel's track showed a remarkable intensity between 14.00 and 17.00.
Posted 1 year ago #
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