Dry Docking: Seafarer back, Causeway away
7th July 2002

On Friday the 5th of July, the European Causeway arrived at Harland and Wolff's yard in Belfast for her annual overhaul, which is expected to last a week.  Meanwhile on the Fleetwood service the European Seafarer came back on service after her recent engine repairs in Liverpool, where a twisted crank shaft was replaced in one of her main engines.

The European Causeway in Harland and Wolff's dry dock in July 2002.  Photo: Stephen Brown

More Problems with the European Seafarer
8th July 2002

The European Seafarer fresh out of refit in Liverpool sailed to Fleetwood on Saturday (6-7-02) and took over the European Pioneer's usual roster.  The Pioneer sailed from Fleetwood light ship for dry dock in Falmouth at the conclusion of her 10am sailing from Larne.  The Seafarer arrived in Larne over two hours late on Sunday morning (7-7-02) due to problems at Fleetwood with her stern door, in addition, on route she developed engine problems delaying her further.  She finally set sail from Larne at lunch time on the Sunday.

European Seafarer departing Larne on the 12th of July 2002 after dry docking and finally getting over all her recent problems.

More problems occurred on Monday when she left for Fleetwood just before 9am.  This trip only lasted an hour as just after 10am she was back in Larne remaining here for the rest of the day.  The problems were all rectified by the 12th of July 2002.

European Causeway Back from Dry Dock
New Cairnryan Schedule Begins
17th July 2002

The European Causeway returned to Larne on Wednesday 17th of July from dry dock at Harland and Wolff.  She passed into Larne at 2100, berthing at Curran Quay.  She shifted to MacKean Quay once the European Highlander discharged and vacated the berth after her 1945 sailing from Cairnryan.

The European Causeway commenced the new conventional ferry timetable for the Cairnryan run with the 2359 service from MacKean Quay on Wednesday evening.  The European Highlander commenced her roster with the 0415 service from Larne on Thursday morning once both the European Endeavour and European Pathfinder had discharged after their final inbound sailings to Larne.

The new timetable sees each vessel complete 3 and-a-half round trips per day with sailings from either port at 3 hour intervals in the morning and afternoon.  With the uneven number of round trips the Highlander and Causeway change rosters every day.  Sailing time is 1 hour 45 minutes with most crossing allowing only 1 hour 15 minutes in port.  It was suggested that the European Mariner would enter service on the Larne to Cairnryan route providing a service for unaccompanied trailers but both the European Highlander and European Causeway have been able to cope with the short turn rounds, instead a series of charters was arranged to keep the European Mariner busy.

The new schedule (commenced 2359 on 17/7/02):

Schedules from Cairnryan are the same, with the ships switching rosters each day Tuesday to Friday, although missing out the 1030 sailing on Sundays allows the vessels to remain on the same weekly cycle.  One knock on effect of the new schedule is that the Superstar Express' 0600 departure on Sunday morning is cancelled, all traffic is accommodated on the conventional ferry at 0730.

European Endeavour and European Pathfinder Final Farewell
20th July 2002

There is a special feature on these two ships to access it follow this link.

European Pioneer Returns from Dry Dock
27th July 2002

The European Pioneer returned to the Larne to Fleetwood service after a much needed dry docking.  She returned from the A&P Falmouth yard at 1600 on the 27/7/02 and entered service in place of the European Leader on the scheduled 2200 service to Fleetwood.  The European Leader arrived in from Fleetwood and as soon as she discharged sailed for her own dry docking.

The European Pioneer before A&P got their hands on her:

European Pioneer pictured in May showing the scars of a year of hard labour.  Also pictured is rope man Paul Garrett on the catwalk out to the forward dolphin.

After A&P, showing just how well she can really look:

European Pioneer  pictured on the 27/7/02, check out that paint job around the forward fairleads and anchor housing.

Fleetwood Service Refits Completed
3rd August 2002

The European Leader returned from her dry-docking in Liverpool on Friday and took up service on the morning sailing from Fleetwood.  The European Pioneer which had been on the Leader's roster anchored off Fleetwood after discharging at the completion of her Thursday evening sailing from Larne to allow the European Leader to get back on her usual sailing pattern.  The European Leader has arrived back from her refit with the P&O flag missing from the starboard side of her funnel.

Where has my flag gone?  The European Leader pictured on 7/8/02 inbound to Larne minus her P&O flag on the starboard side of her funnel.

The European Seafarer which had been on the European Pioneer's usual sailing schedule completed her service after unloading from her Friday morning sailing from Larne.  She then left the Fleetwood service to cover the dry-docking of the European Envoy on the Dublin to Mostyn route.  The European Pioneer then moved back into Fleetwood from anchor and took up her usual roster with the Friday evening departure from Fleetwood.

The whole refit schedule over the past few weeks is presented here in full.

European Pioneer: 6th July-27th July dry-docked at Falmouth.  Schedules covered by the European Seafarer.

European Seafarer: 1st June-6th July dry-docked in Liverpool.  Damaged crankshaft replaced in one of her engines.  Schedules covered by the European Mariner until she departed on charter to Color Line on the 16th of June, thereafter no relief ship covered.

European Leader: 27th July-2nd August dry-docked in Liverpool.  Sailings covered by the European Pioneer during her absence, with the European Seafarer in turn covering for the European Pioneer during this time.

The European Leader eventually received her funnel logo on the 19th of August.

European Highlander Named
7th August 2002

The European Highlander was officially named at a ceremony in Cairnryan on Wednesday 6th of August.  The traditional magnum of champagne was cracked over her bow by Lady Susan Collins.  In a speech during the ceremony P&O chairman Graeme Dunlop explained how the 80 million pound investment by P&O on the Cairnryan service was spent over over the past 2 years with the introduction of European Causeway and now her sister ship European Highlander together with new terminal facilities at Cairnryan.  He also hit out at the road infrastructure serving both ports and challenged the government to, "recognise our [P&O's] investment by investing in the infrastructure."

The European Highlander later cruised over to Larne and played host to a party of top level dignitaries from the freight haulage industry in Northern Ireland while berthed at Larne's Curran Quay.  She re-started service with the 2359 service on Wednesday evening.

European Causeway suffers collision in Larne Harbour
15th August 2002

Details are just coming to light of a collision involving the European Causeway and another small craft that occurred in Larne Harbour on Tuesday the 13th of August.

The European Causeway was involved in a collision with a small yacht in Larne Harbour on the 31st of May 2002.  Here the Causeway arrives at Larne on the 31st of May 2002 after the 1945 service ex Cairnryan.

While approaching the port at approximately 1230 at the conclusion of her 1030 sailing from Cairnryan the European Causeway suffered a temporary loss of power.  The anchors were immediately dropped as is the norm on the occurrence of such a power failure, but before they could stop the vessel her stern slewed round and collided with a small yacht that was moored in the harbour over at the Islandmagee side.  The European Causeway later regained power and with the aid of two tugs berthed as usual on MacKean Quay.  Her 1330 sailing was subsequently cancelled and she re-entered service at 2030 on her delayed 2000 service.  

This is the second time the European Causeway has mysteriously lost power while entering Larne.  The last time she lost power and collided with the quay seriously mangling the starboard side of her whale catcher.  This eventually fell off during a storm in the winter of 2001.

The collision had the result of delaying the European Highlander which had to use the single deck ramp at Curran Quay, loading her top deck using her internal ramp.  This led to subsequent knock on delays to the European Navigator which had to wait until 1900 before the European Highlander left on a delayed 1600 sailing.  

The European Highlander getting away at 1900 on her delayed 1630 sailing on the 13th of August

Only after the Highlander sailed could the European Navigator berth at Curran Quay and load for Troon finally setting sail at 2020 instead of 1900.  At one stage the European Navigator, European Leader and Superstar Express were all "treading water" just north of number 1 buoy waiting for the European Highlander to sail.

European Navigator and European Leader treading water outside Larne Harbour waiting to get in to berth on 13th of August.

The full text of a news report on the incident is presented below in full:

Quick-thinking ferry captain saves ship 
Source: The Belfast News Letter.  Publication date: 2002-08-16 

THE quick thinking of a passenger ferry captain averted possible disaster when his ship ran into difficulty off Larne harbour during a routine crossing from Scotland.  The captain of the ferry, the European Causeway, saved the ship from going aground by lowering the anchors when the vessel suffered complete engine failure on Tuesday morning.  However, a large yacht moored at Larne was less fortunate and is understood to have been damaged when the ferry clipped it as it berthed.  None of the 60 passengers on board were injured during the incident and the ferry, one of P&Os newest, was quickly returned to its regular Larne/Cairnryan crossing. 

A spokeswoman for P&O Irish Sea Ferries yesterday outlined what happened.  The ship was coming into the port so it was on reduced speed anyway.  It lost power temporarily and the captain automatically dropped the anchors which would be routine in this situation.  That brought the ship to a stop but by that stage the power had been restored to the ship and it moved on to berth at the harbour, she said.  Describing the incident as unusual she said an investigation had been launched into the cause of the engine failure.  She declined to speculate on what might have happened had the ship gone aground, but stressed the incident had not been very serious. 

However, the spokeswoman added: The master, certainly by his quick action and by his regular training and drills, managed to avoid a more serious situation.  She confirmed no one had been injured in the incident nor had she received any complaints from passengers or reports that they had been unduly alarmed.  They would have been kept informed of what was going on, she said. 
The spokeswoman added that the ferry had collided with a smaller boat.  Once it was being manoeuvred on to the berth there was slight contact with a yacht that was moored but it was light contact.  No one is thought to have been injured on the yacht, which is believed to have been owned by someone from the East Antrim Boat Club.  No one at the club was available for comment yesterday.  Publication date: 2002-08-16 

European Seafarer Returns
18th August 2002

The European Seafarer returned to Larne after her recent spell away covering the European Envoy on the Dublin to Mostyn service.  Her return brings the Fleetwood service back up to three ships once again.  The service had been operating with only two vessels since the 17th of June 2002 when the European Mariner departed for her charter to Color Line.

Here pictured is the European Seafarer leaving Larne on the 18th of August on her 1600 service to Fleetwood.  This was just two days after her return to Larne on the 16th of August.

European Seafarer leaving Larne on the 18th of August just after her return to the Larne to Fleetwood service on the 16th of August.

Navy Patrol Boats given a final send off from Larne
25th August 2002

The Lough Neagh patrol boats left Northern Ireland from Larne harbour on Sunday the 25th of August 2002.

The two ships, HMS Greywolf and HMS Greyfox, were lifted onto low loaders at Lough Neagh and then driven to Larne where they were placed back into the water.  They then continued their journey by sea to Holyhead in Wales.

The fast patrol ships have been used on Lough Neagh for the past 14 years for counter terrorism activities, but they have been withdrawn after a Royal Navy review of operations in Northern Ireland.

HMS Greywolf arriving on a low loader at Olderfleet Quay. Photo: Jimmy Dowey.

HMS Greywolf being lowered back into her natural element at Olderfleet quay with the P&O ferry European Causeway keeping a watchful eye on proceeding after just arriving from the 0730 service ex Cairnryan.  Photo: Jimmy Dowey.

The full news report from BBC News can be read below:

Two Royal Navy patrol vessels, taken off Lough Neagh, are to leave Northern Ireland on Sunday.  The boats have been used for counter-terrorism operations over the last 14 years.

They are no longer needed to support the police in Northern Ireland. 

They have been transported by truck to Larne port in County Antrim before sailing to Holyhead. 

Greywolf and Greyfox have ceased operations following a review of Royal Navy activity in Northern Ireland. 

The Navy is also returning a jetty to the Belfast Harbour authorities after withdrawing coastal patrol vessels from Northern Ireland. 

The coastal patrol vessels are now based at Faslane, in Scotland, from where one remains on permanent station around the Northern Ireland coast. 

European Navigator in trouble
31st August 2002

Shortly after departing Troon in the early hours of Friday the 30th of August the European Navigator reportedly lost all power and began taking on water at 0300.  The problem appears to have been caused by a leak in the engine coolant system which was fixed by the crew.  The engines were restarted an hour later and the Navigator continued on her way to Larne.

European Navigator reportedly in trouble on Friday 30th of August.  This picture shows her turning in Larne on the 18th of August

The full story is on BBC Scotland at: 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2225456.stm

European Mariner returns to Larne
31st August 2002

The European Mariner returned to Larne from her charter to Color Line on the 30th of August.  She had been operating Color Line's service between Kristiansand and Hirtshals.  She arrived in Larne with a cargo of windmill towers that she had loaded at Esbjerg.  The towers were taken off by crane and then stored in a yard on Redlands estate. Her stay is not expected to be long as she is due to depart for Liverpool soon on another charter.

European Mariner unloading windmill towers by crane at Larne's Curran Quay on the 31st of August 2002.

News of the former Larne ferry Belard
31st August 2002

Since leaving the Larne to Ardrossan route in 1995 the Belard has had a rather nomadic existence being chartered here there and everywhere, but still retained her name throughout.  A curious combination of the first three letters of Belfast and Ardrossan, the previous route she used to serve the Belard's name is about to be changed.  

The Belard is due to be chartered to Caledonian MacBrayne for the Ullapool to Stornoway freight service replacing the Hascosay.  She is to be renamed Muirneag (pronounced Moornyak) which is the Gaelic name for a 248m peak on the Isle of Lewis and when translated into English it means "the beloved one."  The ship is to be registered in Glasgow and will carry a full British crew.

Two views of the Muirneag (ex Belard) in her new Caledonian MacBrayne colours.  Both photos from Rob de Visser.

Coaster Romeo berths in Larne
7th September 2002

Just days after the birth of the new Beckham baby, Romeo, Larne Harbour had a berthing of its own when the coaster Romeo docked at Larne's Olderfleet Quay.  The 3000 grt vessel arrived on Wednesday (4/9/02) evening at 2230 with a cargo of marble chips for Kilwaughter Lime Works.  She unloaded her cargo and departed at 1745 on Friday (6/9/02).

Superstar Express Finishes Summer Service
15th September 2002

The Superstar Express completed her summer service as planned on Sunday the 15th of September.  Her final sailing was the 2130 service from Cairnryan to Larne.  After completing destoring and leaving off her non essential crew in Larne she sailed to A&P's Birkenhead yard, arriving there on the 16th of September.

The Superstar Express manoeuvring at Larne after her 1430 service from Cairnryan on a very misty 15th of September.  The line running through the picture is the stern breast line of the European Highlander.

The Superstar Express in her winter hibernation at the A&P shipyard in Birkenhead.  Photo: Dick Clague

Larne to Fleetwood and Larne to Troon Reshuffle
22nd September 2002

On Saturday the 21st of September the European Pioneer discharged as usual after her morning arrival from Fleetwood.  She then sailed later that morning for Cairnryan to lay up while she under goes maintenance.  It has been reported she has been operating with only 1 bow thruster lately so perhaps it will be repaired now before the winter sets in.  

In the meantime the European Navigator missed her Saturday (21/9) morning sailing to Troon and sailed to Fleetwood instead at 0800 in lieu of the European Pioneer.  On Saturday afternoon the European Mariner returned to Larne after her recent charter to Commodore Ferries to cover the dry docking of the Commodore Clipper on the Portsmouth to the Channel Islands route.  She berthed at Chaine Quay which has now had its fingers reinstalled and is free for use by conventional ferry traffic once again now the Superstar Express has finished her summer service.  Capable of accommodating vessels up to 135 metres (overall length) the European Mariner is the only vessel of the current Larne based fleet short enough to use the "old Sealink ramp."

On Sunday the 22nd the European Seafarer took over the usual roster of the European Pioneer from the European Navigator, which came in from Fleetwood, discharged at Curran Quay and then shifted to Continental Quay after the departure of the European Seafarer.  The European Navigator waited until 1600 before sailing to Fleetwood on the European Seafarer's normal sailing.  The European Leader is unaffected by this reshuffle caused by the absence of the European Pioneer and continues on the evening sailing from Larne to Fleetwood as usual.

To cover the Troon run in the absence of the European Navigator the European Mariner has taken over.  Her first sailing was on Sunday the 22nd of September at 1900 sailing from Chaine Quay.  Timings on the route are eased slightly due to the slower speed of the European Mariner compared to the European Navigator.  The morning arrival in Larne is now due at 0645 instead of 0545 when the Navigator is on the run.  With the European Mariner using Curran Quay this will stop the Troon vessel having to go to anchor during the day to free up Curran Quay for the Northern Star.  

The European Pioneer is expected back in service in a few days time when everything is expected to return to normal.  Plans for the future employment of the European Mariner sees her possibly operating overnight freight runs to Cairnryan with trailers and unaccompanied artics.  This will relieve the pressure on the one and a quarter hour turn rounds that the European Causeway and European Highlander (II) are now timetabled for.  [LFW edit 30/11/02: This did not happen, instead the European Mariner was chartered to Norse Island Ferries for the Aberdeen to Lerwick service.]

European Navigator Sails for Dry Dock
26th September 2002

After covering for the European Pioneer's absence from the Fleetwood run from the 21st of September to the 24th the European Navigator was replaced on her own Troon service by the European Mariner.  The passenger service to Troon was withdrawn on the introduction of the 12 driver capacity Mariner, initially on the 22nd of September as the Navigator was covering on the Fleetwood service.  With freight levels not warranting the extra capacity of the larger ship the European Mariner has been permanently placed on the route instead of the European Navigator.  

The European Navigator at Larne's Continental Quay on the 18th of March 2002.

After her withdrawal from service the European Navigator sailed one more time on the Troon route with the 1900 departure from Larne on the 24th of September and the corresponding return from Troon on Wednesday when she covered the European Mariner which had to retire for one round trip with a gearbox problem.  With the European Navigator now being spare within the P&O fleet her future is said to be "under discussion."  Meanwhile, she sailed on Thursday 26th of September for refit at A&P's Birkenhead yard with a cloud hanging over her future.

Updated: 14/09/05

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