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30th June 2007

European Mariner completed three trips to Campbeltown during the month of June for wind turbine towers.  All trips were carried out on Saturdays during time normally spent at lay up between her usual Troon freight sailings.  Full details of her trips in June are reproduced below:

2/6/07: Departed Larne 0940 for Campbeltown, returned with wind turbine towers at 1900 discharging them at Curran Quay
9/6/07: Departed Larne 0935 picked up wind turbine towers in Campbeltown for Larne.  Discharged towers at Curran Quay on arrival at 1825.
16/6/07: Departed Larne for Campbeltown at 0930.  Returned to anchor off Larne at 1710 with towers aboard, berthing on Curran Quay at 2310 after Stena Pioneer had vacated the berth; discharged towers the following morning.

From the following Saturday, 23/6/07, the European Mariner spent time laid up doing repairs to some minor damage on her port quarter belting while the weekend after that she did maintenance to prepare her for dry dock relief duty on the Larne - Cairnryan service during July.  Wind turbine sailings are suspended for the meantime and will recommence later in the summer.

20th June 2007

Londonderry port tug Otterbank arrived in Larne on Monday 11/6/07 to commence plough dredging of the harbour.  The tug started work the following day at Chaine Quay in between the usual ferry movements.  By the 15/6/07 she had moved to work at Curran Quay and this necessitated the European Mariner spending her daily lay up at anchor to allow Otterbank to do her work.  The tug completed her work in the port at Ballylumford Dock on the 19/6/07 and left for her home port the following day.

Extra Cairnryan Trips

17th June 2007

European Causeway and European Highlander carried out extra 1030 sailings from Larne and Cairnryan on two consecutive Sundays; the 10/6/07 and 17/6/07.  The extra Sunday trip on the 10/6/07 was operated to get European Highlander on the opposite roster to normal in order to facilitate some time off to visit dry dock the following weekend for planned maintenance work.  This maintenance work was subsequently put on hold until later on in the year and the Cairnryan conventional ferries operated an extra trip on the 17/6/07 to get back on their correct rosters again.

2nd June 2007

Further detail concerning sailings by Express to the Isle of Man is available here.

Coaster Calls

1st June 2007

Coastal cargo vessel Varanger arrived at Larne on the 31/5/07 with a cargo of limestone chippings from Norway.  The ship berthed at Olderfleet Quay at 0115 with local tug Sarah McLoughlin serving as pilot boat.  Discharge of her cargo commenced that morning around 0830 using a mobile grab crane and was completed the following day.  

Formerly known as Ranafjord this coaster has visited Larne once already under her new name of Varanger and has made numerous calls in previous years under her old name.  With her cargo discharged Varanger departed to sea for orders at 1230 on the 1/6/07 with Sarah McLoughlin once again acting as pilot boat collecting the local pilot once Varanger had cleared number 1 buoy. 

May's Windmill Movement Summary

31st May 2007

European Mariner's windmill charter work during the month of May 2007 consisted of the following movements:

19/5/07: Departed Larne 1645 for Campbeltown later than scheduled due to SW gales. Returned to Larne 1445 on 20/5/07.

26/5/07: Departed Larne 0940 for Campbeltown.  Returned to anchor off Larne approx 2000 that evening.  Berthed Curran Quay at 0845 on the 27/5/07 after Stena Pioneer had completed maintenance and left Curran Quay to load at Continental Quay for Fleetwood.

31st May 2007

P&O and Stena Line's plans for a joint ferry terminal at Cairnryan finally got the all clear to proceed from the Scottish Executive.  The development plans will see the port double in size to accommodate the existing P&O service to Larne as well become the new Scottish terminal for Stena Line's Belfast - Stranraer service.

First announced in May 2003, the joint port development has been snarled up in a long running planning process which included early design changes as well as a public inquiry.  Four years later in May 2007 the Harbour Empowerment Order has at last been granted by the Scottish Executive allowing building work to begin.

Building work is expected to get underway as soon as possible with completion of the new facility expected in around 18 months time.

Full Press Release Issued on behalf of Port of Cairnryan

31st May 2007

CAIRNRYAN PORT DEVELOPMENT GETS GREEN LIGHT

Port of Cairnryan Ltd, the joint venture company between P&O Irish Sea and Stena Line, has been granted its application for a Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO), which is the final planning stage in its proposed expansion of facilities at Cairnryan Port to accommodate both P&O Irish Sea, the current ferry operators and Stena Line Ltd.

Stena Line and P&O management have been working closely with Scottish Executive officials and a range of statutory authorities over the last few years to gain planning permission for P&O to create a new berth and for Stena Line to move its ferry operations from Stranraer to Cairnryan as part of a multi-million investment programme. The granting of an HEO is the final stage in the complex planning process which will now allow executives of the Port of Cairnryan to progress with the financing and construction of a new state-of-the-art terminal and extended berthing facilities to accommodate both operations.

Alan Gordon, Route Director Stena Line said: "Today is a real milestone for the people of South West Scotland. The new Port will provide a modern, state-of-the-art facility for the fourth largest tourist gateway and largest ferry port in Scotland. The proposed multi millions investment is the largest in South West Scotland. This is a huge, long-term commitment by P&O Irish Sea and Stena Line to the South West of Scotland and its people. One of the main objectives of the development will be to protect and preserve existing employment in the region. In tandem with the new facilities it is worth noting that the proposal will also accommodate a series of much needed road improvements to and from the new facility, focusing on a 30 mile radius around Loch Ryan."

Terry Cairns, Managing Director P&O Irish Sea said: "The combined workforce of both ferry operators make us one of the largest employers in South West Scotland. 800 jobs are sustained by people living in the area around Cairnryan and Stranraer, which are directly dependent on the existence of both ferry operators. It is also worth noting that the jobs provide wage levels at well above the regional average."

He added: "We are delighted that full planning permission has now finally been granted and we can get cracking with the construction phase. The new enhanced facility will be the best in Scotland and will give the people of South West Scotland a strong foundation for future prosperity. Scotland needs a world class ferry port facility and I'm delighted that P&O and Stena Line have been able to work together to create such a unique facility."

Work on the facility will commence immediately with a target completion date of the end of 2008.

Fleetwood Bank Holiday Alteration

28th May 2007

The Larne to Fleetwood service operated by Stena Line omitted one round sailing over the late May bank holiday weekend.  Stena Seafarer's scheduled 1600 sailing from Larne on the 27/5/07 and the corresponding return from Fleetwood at 0300 on the 28/5/07 were missed because of the bank holiday on Monday the 28th and the associated lower than normal freight loadings.  

With the 'Seafarer's extended weekend break the opportunity was taken to allow both Stena Pioneer and Stena Seafarer time off for maintenance.  Stena Seafarer covered the 'Pioneer's normal 1000 sailing from Larne on the 26/5/07 departing at 1300 instead.  The Stena Pioneer spent that day laid up on Curran Quay but returned to service with her 1000 sailing on the 27th.  After covering the 'Pioneer's sailing, Stena Seafarer spent the 27/5/07 and part of the 28th out of service prior to returning to her schedule with a 1530 departure from Larne on the 28/5/07.

19th May 2007

Fast craft Express suffered a number of sailing alterations during a two day spell of fresh south westerly winds on the North Channel.

The first day to see alterations was Friday the 18/5/07 when Express operated three round trips into Cairnryan.  The scheduled morning and evening sailings to Troon being diverted for weather reasons to Cairnryan instead. Sailings were provided at 0715, 1430 and 1800 to Cairnryan with return voyages at approx. 1200, 1615 and 2130 from Cairnryan.

The gales persisted into the following day, the 19/5/07.  Express left Larne on her morning sailing late at 0745 and like the previous day this was again weather routed from Troon to Cairnryan instead.  The craft did not return to Larne until her scheduled 1500 sailing from Cairnryan, which arrived in Larne at 1615.  Traffic diverted to Cairnryan from the 1000 ex Troon was accommodated on the European Highlander sailing from Cairnryan at 1030.  The same ship picked up the traffic from the cancelled 1255 fast craft service from Larne with her 1330 Larne to Cairnryan sailing.

By the evening of the 19/5/07 the winds had begun too ease and Express was able to return to her regular timetable starting with her scheduled 1730 to Troon, this being her first arrival at Troon for two days due to the bad weather.

Express was not the only Larne ship to be delayed due to the bad weather with the 3 Fleetwood ships and European Mariner also having varying lengths of delays.  Worst hit was European Mariner, which was stormbound outside Troon for a few hours on the morning of the 19/5/07.  She didn't get into Troon until late morning and returned to Larne with her 0230 ex Troon just over 8 hours late at 1500.  She discharged her cargo and set off at 1645 on a delayed weekend windmill charter sailing to Campbeltown, which returned to Larne with turbine towers at 1445 the following day.

Extra Cairnryan Voyage

13th May 2007

European Causeway and European Highlander operated extra sailings on the Larne to Cairnryan route on Sunday the 13/5/07 to help accommodate extra traffic generated by bike fans travelling home after the North West 200 Motor Cycle races at Portrush  on the 12/5/07.  An extra 1030 sailing from Larne was operated by European Causeway with European Highlander providing a 1030 sailing from Cairnryan.  The extra sailing helped to relieve pressure on Express sailings which were heavily booked with motorbikes all weekend.

European Causeway and European Highlander returned to their normal rosters the following week by operating additional 1030 sailings the following Sunday 20/5/07.

7th May 2007

Unusually the May bank holiday on the 7/5/07 resulted in only one alteration to the usual ferry movements from Larne.  This concerned Stena Seafarer, which missed her scheduled 1600 ex Larne on the 6/5/07 and corresponding return at 0300 from Fleetwood on the 7/5/05.  She spent the time off undergoing maintenance work alongside Curran Quay from 1300 on the 5/5/07 after she completed discharging her 0300 ex Fleetwood.  She departed for Belfast at 1545 on the 6/5/07 to operate a single round trip on the Belfast - Stranraer route as fleet mate Stena Caledonia was delayed in dry dock with her annual overhaul.  Stena Seafarer operated the 2000 ex Belfast and return from Stranraer at 0100 and returned to Larne from Belfast at 1300 on the 7/5/07, picking up her Fleetwood schedule again with the 1600 ex Larne later that afternoon.

30th April 2007

After being missing from the Larne ferry scene for 9 days covering the Belfast - Stranraer route, Stena Seafarer made a welcome return back to her usual haunts at Larne on the 30/4/07.  She returned light ship from Belfast at 1145 berthing at Continental Quay to load for her first sailing.  She departed later in the afternoon at 1600 to Fleetwood bringing the service back up to its much needed full capacity once again.  

Her return is just in time for the latest spring tides at Fleetwood which cause the most severe scheduling changes to route companions Stena Pioneer and Stena Leader.  When low water coincides with the Leader and Pioneer's usual arrival and departure times at Fleetwood both ships usually have to operate a number of quick crossings with short turn rounds as well as restrict cargo to minimise draft all of which reduces the cargo that can be transported on their sailings.  This shifts the focus to Stena Seafarer, which must sweep up what the other ships leave behind as well as cope with her own considerable loadings.

29th April 2007

Larne - Troon's resident freight ship European Mariner has been kept busy throughout the latter few weekends in April transporting wind turbine shipments from Campbeltown.

For the record, her work during the last month consisted of the following cargo shipments:

Sat 31/3/07: Campbeltown - Troon
Sun 1/4/07: Campbeltown - Larne
Sat 14/4/07: Campbeltown - Troon
Sun 15/4/07: Campbeltown - Larne
Sat 21/4/07: Campbeltown - Larne
Sat 28/4/07: Campbeltown - Larne

21st April 2007

The busy Larne - Fleetwood route has temporarily lost the services of the Stena Seafarer which has moved to the Belfast - Stranraer route to cover for the annual dry docking of fleet mate Stena Caledonia.  

Stena Seafarer stood down from Fleetwood service once she had discharged in Larne after the 0300 sailing from Fleetwood on the 21/4/07.  The vessel left Larne at 1240 light ship for Belfast and commenced service with the 2000 to Stranraer later that evening.

Meanwhile, Stena Caledonia finished Stranraer service with the 0715 ex Stranraer on the morning of the 21/4/07 and shifted to Harland and Wolff in Belfast for annual overhaul.  Stena Seafarer will cover her absence on the Stranraer route for approximately 9 days before returning to the Larne - Fleetwood service.  At Larne, Stena Leader and Stena Pioneer will operate their usual sailings to Fleetwood as normal while Stena Seafarer's usual schedule is cancelled during her period serving on the Stranraer route.

Donna McLoughlin Update

21st April 2007

Former Larne tug Donna McLoughlin, which was sold in March to Scottish owners has caught the eye of Larne Ferry Web reader Tommy Bryceland who has kindly passed on some details.

Renamed Donna the tug departed Larne for the last time on the 22/3/07 bound for the River Clyde and at the time of writing she is out of the water undergoing refit at a Clydebank boatyard.  

http://www.irishseashipping.com/photofeatures/irishcelticseas/dublin/samuelf210407/samuelf210407.htm

10th April 2007

During the Easter holiday weekend most of the ferry services from Larne were subject to some degree of alteration as the usual heavy freight throughput ceased to be replaced with larger than usual volumes of passenger and car traffic.

Stena Line's Larne to Fleetwood service operated a two ship schedule using Stena Pioneer and Stena Leader over the Easter period with Stena Seafarer's normal sailing slot being withdrawn for two days.  Stena Seafarer's last scheduled sailing was the 0300 service from Fleetwood on the 7/4/07.  On arrival in Larne that morning at 1100 the 'Seafarer discharged her cargo and left Larne at 1245 for lay up at Stena Line's Belfast terminal.  The vessel underwent some routine maintenance work until Easter Monday, 9/4/07, before returning to Larne at 1150.  She loaded and sailed on her usual roster with a scheduled 1600 sailing to Fleetwood.

The Larne to Cairnryan service was reduced in frequency and capacity over Easter with P&O using the opportunity presented by the reduced freight traffic on offer over the holidays to withdraw the European Highlander from service for a planned underwater survey.  In addition to the hull survey other work required to extend the vessel's certificates to her next dry dock in 2008 was carried out alongside Curran Quay over a three day spell from the 7/4/07 to the 9/4/07.

The European Highlander's final sailing prior to her survey was the 0730 ex Cairnryan on the 7/4/07.  She discharged cargo from this service at MacKean Quay in Larne before she shifted to Curran Quay for lay up.  Her underwater survey was carried on that afternoon with the divers working from local tug Noleen McLoughlin.  The following day she swung round stern in to the berth to allow her starboard side lifesaving equipment to be tested.  With her planned survey work completed by the 9/4/07 she returned to service with the 1030 sailing from Larne.

During the European Highlander's absence European Causeway, Express and European Mariner maintained Larne - Cairnryan operations.  The two conventional ferries operated a modified timetable while the Express ran as normal to Cairnryan and Troon.  European Mariner's own Larne - Troon freight schedule was suspended over Easter from the 0230 ex Troon arrival in Larne on the 7/4/07 until the 1900 ex Larne to Troon on the 10/4/07 to allow her to cover at Cairnryan.

1st April 2007

Stena Leader ran aground at Fleetwood for a short period on the morning of the 1/4/07.  The vessel was aground for around 2 hours, refloating on the rising tide.  She made her way to Larne arriving at 2200 where divers were waiting for her arrival to inspect the hull for damage.  The vessel continued in service departing with cargo for Fleetwood at 0100 on the 2/4/07.

1st April 2007

Larne - Troon freight vessel European Mariner had a busy weekend out over the 31/3/07 to the 1/4/07.  She left Larne on the morning of the 31/3/07 at 0945 once she had completed discharging from her inbound Troon freight sailing.  She sailed light ship for Cairnryan for berthing trials between 1345 and 1415 in advance of some planned relief work on the Larne - Cairnryan route over the Easter holidays.  With the trials completed she sailed for Campbeltown to load wind turbine parts there for discharge in Troon that evening.  After spending the night in Troon the vessel returned to Campbeltown on the 1/4/07 and loaded more wind turbine parts destined for a wind farm being built in County Donegal.  She arrived in Larne at 1630 and discharged the  parts prior to loading for her scheduled 1900 sailing to Troon.