Alexandra S Arrival at Larne 12/6/05

The coaster Alexandra S is a regular caller at Larne, making two or three arrivals each year with dry bulk cargo for the local limeworks. On Sunday 12/6/05 she made her first call of the year at Larne with a cargo of dolomite chippings and your webmaster was invited to view her arrival first hand.

The Alexandra S, like most commercial vessels of her size, requires a local pilot to bring her into port. Pilots normally board incoming vessels 1 mile north of number one buoy and the job of transporting the pilot between shore and ship is carried out by one of the tugs from the fleet of John McLoughlin & Son Shipping. On this occasion it was Sarah McLoughlin rostered to do the job with her crew of Stephen Peoples and Lee Costello inviting your webmaster along on what turned out to be quite a lively ride out Larne Lough to the boarding point.

With a northerly swell running into Larne Lough, Phil, the pilot, was boarded on the port side of Alexandra S with tug and coaster both running along with the swell. With the swell now at our stern Sarah McLoughlin's motion noticeably eased and water deluges over the wheelhouse roof ceased so it was safe to go on deck to get some shots of Alexandra S on her run along the buoyed channel into Larne.

Once into the port Alexandra S was lined up for approach to the general cargo berth at Olderfleet Quay. She required only one push at the bow by Sarah McLoughlin to ease her into position alongside the quay. Ropes were all secure at 2045 after which Sarah McLoughlin returned to her berth at Castle Quay.

All pictures below taken on 12/6/05 from tug Sarah McLoughlin. Many thanks to her crew for the trip aboard.


Alexandra S in the buoyed channel into Larne. Photos: Larne Ferry Web (click to enlarge)

Alexandra S passing Stena Leader on Continental Quay. Photo: LFW (click to enlarge)	Sarah McLoughlin pushes at the bow of Alexandra S. Photo: LFW (click to enlarge)

Stephen Peoples at the helm of Sarah McLoughlin applies the power to push Alexandra S at Olderfleet Quay. Photo: LFW (click to enlarge)	In position alongside, the crew of Alexandra S pass the aft mooring lines ashore. Photo: Larne Ferry Web (click to enlarge)